WRAP: The annual Cape derby went down to the wire in Round Five of the Varsity Cup in Stellenbosch.
It was the table-topping Maties who clutched a try at the death to beat arch-rivals UCT in a thrilling clash.
UP-Tuks beat the NWU Eagles to remain in contention for the play-offs, while UJ painted the city orange after upping the pressure in the second half against the Witsies to be crowned kings of Jozi.
A rain soaked Bloem derby saw defending champs UFS Shimlas dig deep and beat the Ixias in a low scoring affair.
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Wits 24-32 UJ
Johannesburg was painted orange on Monda, when UJ claimed an important 32-24 win over Wits.
It was a crucial game for both teams, who were yet to secure a victory in this season’s campaign.
The match was intense from the start, with Wits drawing first blood through lock Thomas Beling inside the first three minutes, though the conversion attempt went astray. With the score at 5-0, the Orange Army had it all to do, and John Ford answered the call, breaking through from close range to level the score. Michail Damon converted his attempt to give his side a 7-5 lead. The next scoring action saw Wits speedster Kevon Chirwa racing down the touchline to score a try, which some in the crowd thought was controversial. However, it stood, with the conversion attempt going wide again, leaving Wits with a slender 10-7 lead at the break.
The second half saw a dominant display from UJ, who came out firing. Too many errors from the home side let them down in crucial parts of the game. The visitors were able to run in four tries to the hosts’ two.
Wits once again struggled to withstand mauls close to their try line, with UJ scoring two tries courtesy of Kamo Molefe. In the end, UJ claimed the city’s bragging rights and possibly a position in next season’s Varsity Cup. It’s back to the drawing board for the Witsies, who will need to perform well in their remaining fixtures to avoid possible relegation.
SCORERS
Wits
Tries: Beling, Van Vreden, Chirwa, Apolle
Cons: Coetzee
UJ
Tries: Molefe 2, Africa, Ford, Dlamini
Cons: Felix, Damo
Player That Rocks: Michail Damon (UJ)
TEAMS
Wits:15 Setshaba Mokoena (captain), 14 Lindani Dweba, 13 Keith Chirwa, 12 Kamohelo Ncunca, 11 Kevon Chirwa, 10 Matthew Coetzee, 9 Drew Bennet, 8 Christopher Kachungunu, 7 Thando Biyela, 6 Joshua van Vreden, 5 Hayden Munnery, 4 Thomas Beling, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Dagan Meuwese, 1 Ricardo Brandao.
UJ: 15 Michail Damon, 14 Sifiso Dlamini, 13 Adriano Jackson, 12 John Ford, 11 Ughan Africa, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Liam Rowan, 8 Dylan Viljoen, 7 Muzuva Gutu, 6 Siyemukela Ndlovu (captain), 5 Kamo Molefe, 4 Neil Hansen, 3 Ali Gqaza, 2 Ryan Marimo, 1 Damian Baker.
Referee: Jonathan Lottering
TMO: Stephan Geldenhuys
UP-Tuks 26-17 NWU Eagles
UP-Tuks welcomed NWU Eagles at the Tuks Stadium in an emphatic and mouthwatering encounter – as anticipated, the collision proved to be unpredictable.
NWU Eagles look strong on attack as they cornered UP-Tuks in the early stages of the game dominating the first 10 minutes. With the relentless attack from the men from North West, Tuks were then reduced to 14-men Kobus Janse van Rensburg sent to the sin bin. With their backs against the wall, the Stripe Generation broke the deadlock in impressive transition rugby.
The Pretoria outfit got a lineup in the middle of the park, relied on their strength and agility driving NWU Eagles to their try-line. Stretched play from one end to another and finally got the break as Andile Myeni cuts in to open the scoring. JP Wentzel clinical with the boot secured maximum points.
Wentzel added three more points on the board with a well-executed kick. The visitors finally registered points on the on the stroke of half-time. Tuks taking a 7-point lead at the break.
The closely contested affair returned with the same energy as the Eagles returned with a try through Indiphile Tyeda to level the matters. UP-Tuks cemented their dominance as Lilitha Matsiliza powered over the line to regain the lead. Wentzel missed a penalty with an opportunity to extend the lead.
NWU Eagles showed no signs of giving up with Tian van Zyl reduced the deficit to just two points at 19-17. Dewey Swartbooi’s troops proved to be too strong upfront as they registered another try from sensational forward play, Ruan van Blommestein dotting it down as Tuks held on to a 26-17 victory.
SCORERS
UP-Tuks
Tries: Myeni, Matsiliza, Van Blommestein.
Cons: Wentzel 3
Pen: Wentzel
NWU Eagles
Tries: Tyeda, Van Zyl
Cons: Heymans 2
Pen: Heymans
Player that Rocks: Rauld Hattingh (UP-Tuks)
TEAMS
UP-Tuks: 15 Ambesa Zenzile, 14 Munashe Dukuswa, 13 Tharquinn Manuel, 12 Keane Galant, 11 Andile Myeni, 10 JP Wentzel, 9 Daimon Oconnell, 8 Dillon Smith, 7 Haydn Kemp, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 Lilitha Matsiliza, 4 Roald Hattingh, 3 Jayd Austin, 2 Edwin Till, 1 MJ Nel.
NWU Eagles: 15 Luan van der Walt, 14 Naiden Jaarts, 13 Matthew Fortuin, 12 Nico Liversage, 11 Indiphile Tyeda, 10 Stehan Heymans, 9 Sanele Zungu, 8 Guhan Du Bois, 7 Tian Van Zyl, 6 Ricardo Fourie, 5 Stephan Krugel, 4 Tsepo Tlaka, 3 Ntobeko Shezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 1 Alethwa Buthelezi.
Referee: Sean Muller
UFS Shimlas 16-9 CUT
The UFS Shimlas returned to winning ways in the Varsity Cup with a hard-fought 16-9 victory over the CUT Ixias in the Bloemfontein derby.
It certainly wasn’t the prettiest of wins for the defending champions, but at this stage of the competition, every point is worth its weight in gold.
The eagerly anticipated derby was delayed by nearly an hour due to lightning in the vicinity of Shimla Park, but the welcome rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the supporters, who turned out in their numbers.
Despite the wet conditions, both teams opted for an attacking approach from the outset, resulting in plenty of turnover ball. The Shimlas, in particular, left several points on the park, squandering scoring opportunities from set-pieces near the Ixias tryline.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 17th minute when Shimlas flyhalf Bradley Giddy slotted a long-range penalty, despite the slippery underfoot conditions. However, he had two further attempts at goal, both unsuccessful, leaving the score at 3-0 at half-time.
The rain eased in the second half, improving the playing conditions slightly, but errors remained a factor. Ixias opened their account through a Matthys Malan penalty to level matters, but Shimlas responded with a sensational try from Kirwin du Preez—the only one of the match.
Giddy kept Shimlas ahead with two more penalties, while Malan slotted two late three-pointers in pursuit of a bonus point for Ixias. Ultimately, the Shimlas did enough to claim the bragging rights and secure four valuable points.
SCORERS
UFS Shimlas
Try: Du Preez
Con: Giddy
Pens: Giddy 3
CUT
Pens: Malan
Player that Rocks: Bradley Giddy (Shimlas)
TEAMS
Shimlas: 15 Wynand Botha, 14 Kirwin du Preez, 13 Nkoka Ngobe (captain), 12 Alwich van der Linde, 11 Lilitha Lunqe, 10 Bradley Giddy, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 8 Maynard Kleynhans, 7 Liam Shamburg, 6 Fano Linde, 5 Sandile Nzuza, 4 Reinier Viljoen, 3 Ben Pitout, 2 Juanre Breitenbach, 1 Ntokozo Hlope.
CUT: 15 Devinto Vergotine, 14 Rorisang Masoeu, 13 Zachery Bester, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 11 Clive Hartzenberg, 10 Matthys Malan, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Francois Bester (captain), 7 Helgard Bruwer, 6 JT van der Walt, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Tokelo Ntaopane, 1 Mamello Moshoaliba.
Referee: Eon van Zyl
Maties 31-24 UCT Ikeys
The Maties kept their flawless record intact with an exhilarating 31-24 victory over a determined Ikey Tigers side in a gripping showdown at the electric Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The highly-anticipated Western Cape derby between the Maties and the Ikeys was everything fans hoped for—and more! This was no ordinary rugby match. It was a fierce, high-octane battle between two bitter rivals, each side giving their all in a clash of rugby titans.
The game unfolded like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams relentlessly going toe-to-toe, refusing to back down. From the first whistle, it was clear: this was going to be a nail-biting contest of epic proportions.
Coach Kabamba Floors’ Maties and Ikeys head honcho Robbie Fleck’s squads were evenly matched across the board. The Tigers led 24-17 at half-time, and it looked like the visitors might just pull off a shock upset.
But then, enter Ezekiel Ngobeni, the Maties captain, who was simply unstoppable! The star player scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries to level the score at 24-all. Just when it seemed like he was about to take the game by the scruff of the neck with a fourth try, disaster struck—Ngobeni was forced to leave the field after picking up an injury.
With the match hanging in the balance and time running out, the Maties found another gear, sending their home crowd into a frenzy. Big winger Grant De Jager exploded through the Ikey defense, powering over the line for the match-winning try. The conversion followed, and the Danie Craven Stadium erupted as the final score settled at 31-24 in favor of the home side.
But the drama didn’t end there—aggressive lock Carel van der Merwe was a standout throughout the game, working tirelessly in the tight and loose exchanges. His bulldozing try was a fitting testament to his relentless energy, and he was deservedly named the Player that Rocks.
What a game! The Maties continue their unbeaten streak, and this victory will surely go down as one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory.
SCORERS
Maties
Tries: Ngobeni 3, Puzi, De Jager.
Cons: Smith 3
UCT Ikeys
Tries: Koevort, Nyali, Dyonase
Cons: Makhaza 3
Pen: Makhaza
Player that Rocks: Ezekiel Ngobeni (Maties)
TEAMS
Maties: 15 Elridge Jack, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Ryan Manuel, 12 CJ Marx, 11 Grant De Jager, 10 Christiaan van Heerden Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), 8 Ethan Snyman, 7 Luan Botha, 6 Gcina Puzi, 5 Carel van der Merwe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Armand Combrink, 1 Prince Mulea.
UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Rayn Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Kian Davis, 12 Luke Burger, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Xola Nyali, 7 Connor Jack Gordon, 6 Siphomezo Dyonase, 5 Danio Botha, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Matthew Beckett.
Referee: Dylen November
TMO: Egon Seconds
Source: @varsitycup
