Pukke break Maties hearts
Two late bonus points saw NWU-Pukke sneak into the Varsity Cup semifinals ahead of Maties on points difference.
Last year's beaten finalists will face table-toppers UP-Tuks in Pretoria next week, while defending champions UCT will travel to Bloemfontein to take on the unbeaten UFS-Shimlas in the other semifinal.
Three-time champions Maties romped to a comprehensive 53-8 victory over winless CUT in Bloemfontein, but it was not enough in the end as they miss the play-offs for just the second time in the history of the competition.
Although NWU-Pukke went down 29-26 to UFS-Shimlas in Bloemfontein, two late tries saw them pick up two vital bonus points to knock Maties out on points difference.
UFS-Shimlas are the only team that have not lost this season, but they ended in second place to UP-Tuks who were far too strong for NMMU.
The Pretoria outfit outscored the Madibaz by five tries to one in Port Elizabeth to seal top spot ahead of UFS-Shimlas on points difference.
UFS-Shimlas will host their first-ever semifinal against UCT who battled to a tough 8-0 victory over UJ on a windy Green Mile in Cape Town to secure their spot in the play-offs.
Ikeys flank Jason Klaasen scored the only try of the match in a tight encounter, which saw UJ end the season in sixth place ahead of NMMU and CUT – who finished their debut season without a single log point.
* In the Varsity Shield, UWC kept their hopes of sneaking into the final alive with a comprehensive 58-8 victory over Fort Hare in Alice despite being reduced to 14 men for most of the game.
Wits secured a home final with a comfortable 50-5 victory over TUT who have not won a single game this season.
* The Varsity Young Guns final will be a replay of last year's dramatic clash between UFS and UP-Tuks, although this year they will be playing in Bloemfontein instead of Pretoria.
The Pretoria side handed the NMMU Young Guns their first defeat of the season to deny the Eastern Cape side a place in the final on points difference.
* In the Koshuisrugby Championship, Vishuis lost to Patria but secured their place in the final with a bonus point, while CUT's Tigers easily beat NMMU's Stallions.
Visit the Varsity Cup website for the logs, latest news and more.
All the scores and scorers!
Varsity Cup
NMMU 8-40 UP-Tuks
For NMMU:
Try: Skosana
Con: Hansel
For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Liebenberg 2, Hugo, Davids, Britz
Cons: Stander 3, Human 2
NMMU: 15 Tythan Adams, 14 Khaya Malotana, 13 Micheal Barnardt, 12 Devon Lailvaux, 11 Brian Skosana, 10 Ruan Allerston, 9 Enrico Acker (captain), 8 Andisa Ntsila, 7 Philip Odendaal, 6 Jody Reyneke, 5 Robert Louw, 4 Elandre van der Merwe, 3 Steven Robberson, 2 Dane Van der Westhuyzen, 1 Marzuk Maarman.
Replacements: 16 Warrick Venter, 17 Laurence Christie, 18 Zane Marx, 19 Ivan-John du Preez, 20 Ivan ludick, 21 Steven Hansel, 22 Andile Jho, 23 Arno Ebersohn.
UP-Tuks: 15 Riaan Britz, 14 Damian van Wyk, 13 Daniel Kriel, 12 John Jackson, 11 Jermaine Kleinsmith, 10 Joshua Stander, 9 André Warner, 8 Clyde Davids, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Jan Enslin, 1 Nqobisizwe Mxoli.
Replacements: 16 Jan Van der Merwe, 17 Justin Forwood, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Pieter Jansen van Vuren, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Neethling Fouche.
Referees: Quinton Immelman, Cwengile Jadezweni
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Christie du Preez
CUT-Ixias 8-53 Maties
For CUT:
Try: Makoena
Con: Pretorius
For Maties:
Tries: Van Dyk, Fick 3, Streicher, TBC, Venter
Cons: Thomson 6
CUT: 15 Henry immelman, 14 Lethole Makoena, 13 Jacques Nel, 12 Ali Mgijima, 11 Mosego Toolo, 10 Duan Pretorius (captain), 9 Christiaan Erasmus, 8 Jean Pretorius, 7 Jean-Claude Fourie, 6 Dean Kouprihanoff, 5 Fanie Coetzee, 4 JJ Nel, 3 Gerard Baard, 2 Jeandre Roux, 1 Len Noort.
Replacements: 16 Niel Schoombee, 17 Ian Smith, 18 Daneel Botes, 19 Victor Maruping, 20 Dean Jacobs, 21 Dean Rossouw, 22 Naude van Biljon, 23 Boetie Makethlo.
Maties: 15 Mike Muller, 14 Jamie Joseph, 13 Paul Streicher, 12 Koos Loubser, 11 Craig Barry, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Bjorn Bernardo, 8 Janco Venter, 7 Derick Linde (captain), 6 Justin Benn, 5 Kobus Van Dyk, 4 Lourens Fick, 3 Jacobus Van der Merwe, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1 Niel Oelofse.
Replacements: 16 Craig Corbett, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Grant Prior, 19 Lungelo Chonco, 20 Louis Nel, 21 Ernest Stapelberg, 22 Kyle Leibrandt, 23 Abel De Klerk.
Referees: Pro Legoete, Jaco Pretorius
Assistant referees: Local
UCT-Ikeys 8-0 UJ
For UCT:
Try: Klaasen
Con: Bednall
For UJ:
None
UCT: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Guy Schwikkard, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Thomas Bednall, 9 Ryan Dugmore, 8 Guy Alexander, 7 Michael Botha (captain), 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Mark Prior, 3 Kyle Whyte, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew.
Replacements: 16 Michael Kennedy, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Jade Kriel, 19 Luke Stringer, 20 Stephen Wallace, 21 Nicholas Holton, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 David Maasch.
UJ: 15 Aphiwe Dyanti, 14 Bradley Moolman, 13 Robert De Bruyn, 12 Adriaan Vermeulen, 11 Andries Osthuizen, 10 Jaco Fourie, 9 Chuma Faas, 8 Wiaan Conradie, 7 Kyle Van Dalen, 6 Kobus Porter (captain), 5 David Antonites, 4 Werner Lourens, 3 Nico Du Plessis, 2 Siphatho Qinisile, 1 Gareth Milasinovich.
Replacements: 16 Jannes Snyman, 17 Raeez Salie, 18 Griffith van Wyk, 19 Ettienne Oosthuizen, 20 Hilton Mudarika, 21 James Campbell, 22 Dominic Kroezen, 23 Kyle Kruger.
Referees: Lourens van der Merwe, Jaco Kotze
Assistant referees: Local
UFS-Shimlas 29-26 NWU-Pukke
For UFS-Shimlas:
Tries: Huggett, Jordaan, Olivier 2
Cons: Coertzen 3
For NWU-Pukke:
Tries: Goliath, Smit, Deysel 2
Cons: Smith 2
UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen (captain), 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Stephen Janse van Rensburg, 9 Renier Botha, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Steven Meiring, 5 Boela Venter, 4 Johan van der Hoogt, 3 Conraad Van Vuuren, 2 Elandre Huggett, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Jacques Du Toit, 17 Chase Morison, 18 De Wet Kruger, 19 Tienie Burger, 20 Mthokozisi Mkhabela, 21 JP Coetzee, 22 Refuoe Rampete, 23 Theunis Nieuwoudt.
NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Dalen Goliath, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel (captain), 11 Dean Stokes, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Dillon Smit, 8 Jaco Buys, 7 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Armandt Liebenberg, 5 Walt Steenkamp, 4 Loftus Morrison, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 2 Wian Fourie, 1 Johan Smith.
Replacements: 16 Wilmar Arnoldi, 17 Mogau Mabokela, 18 Daniel Jordaan, 19 Moletsi Bouwer, 20 Malherbe Swart, 21 Juandre Williams, 22 Bouke Tack, 23 Cayle Denner.
Referees: Francois Pretorius, Rodney Boneparte
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner
Varsity Shield
UFH-Blues 8-58 UWC
For UFH-Blues:
Try: Qwele
Con: Matutu
For UWC:
Tries: Mthethwa, Verity-Amm 3, Langeveldt 2, Plaatjes, Railoun
Cons: Hock 6
UFH-Blues: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Aziyena Mandaba, 13 Hlubi Mvana, 12 Siviwe Bisset, 11 Ntsika Kula, 10 Khanyiso Komani, 9 Elandre Sias, 8 Athenkosi Manentsa, 23 Ntyatyambo Mkhafu, 6 Siphesihle Punguzwa, 5 Sibusiso Sityebi, 4 Lwando Ntete, 3 Zanoxolo Qwele, 2 Madoda Ludidi, 1 Lwando Mabenge.
Replacements: 16 Mziwabantu Vitsha, 17 Olwethu Mputla, 18 Lusindiso Komo, 19 Athenkosi Makeleni, 20 Khaya Siqoko, 21 Sivakele Ulana, 22 Sithembiso Ngwenya, 24 Saneliso Getye.
UWC: 15 Darian Hock, 14 Minenhle Mthethwa, 13 Dean Herbert, 12 Gordon-Wayne Plaatjes, 11 James Verity-Amm, 10 Quaid Langeveldt, 9 Damien Stevens, 8 Darren Luiters, 7 Jose Julies (captain), 6 Matthew Faught, 5 Stuart Austin, 4 Brandon Valentyn, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Chadwin Robertson, 1 Brandon Beukman.
Replacements: 16 Wayron Losper, 17 Kelvin De Bruyn, 18 Heynes Kotze, 19 Seth Maphumulo, 20 Matthew Nortje, 21 Herman Share, 22 Mogamat Railoun, 23 Stephan Borman.
TUT-Vikings 5-50 Wits
For TUT Vikings:
Try: Johannes
For Wits:
Tries: Marx 2, Damba, Crossman, Nkolo 2, Jarvis
Cons: Hewitt 3, Baggot 2
TUT-Vikings: 15 Lewies van Deventer, 14 Lisa Banzi, 13 RW van der Wal, 12 Edwin Oliver, 11 Tovi Nefale, 10 Dylan du Buisson, 9 Shawn Jaards, 8 Claude Johannes, 7 Mandla Mdaka, 6 Wessel Jordaan, 5 Calvin Maduna, 4 Armand Marshall, 3 Niel De Witt, 2 Wian van Schalkwyk (captain), 1 Stanley Modjadji.
Replacements: 16 Shaun de Wet, 17 JJ Burger, 18 Ross Middelcote, 19 Jaco van Staden, 20 Percy Matlhoko, 21 Scelo Nkomonde, 22 Vian Riekert, 23 Jean Claude Le Roux.
Wits: 15 Tommy Damba, 14 Joshua Jarvis, 13 Koch Marx, 12 AJ van Blerk, 11 IshBunda Nkolo, 10 Brandan Hewitt, 9 Luxolo Ntsepe, 8 Cameron Shafto, 7 Richard Crossman (captain), 6 Constant Beckerling, 5 Angus Gordan, 4 Graham Logan, 3 Brandon Palmer, 2 Ferdinand Kelly, 1 Ameer Williams.
Replacements: 16 Chris Mills, 17 Tijde Visser, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Rhyno Herbst, 20 Ben Baggot, 21 Sibu Mngomezulu, 22 Dandre van den Berg, 23 Alastair Ballantyne.
Varsity Young Guns
UCT Trojans 13-20 NWU-Pukke Young Guns
For UCT Trojans:
Tries: Qaba 2
Con: Fourie
For NWU-Pukke Young Guns:
Tries: van der Merwe, de Gouveia, TBC
Con: Masuku
Pen: Masuku
UCT Trojans: 15 Karl Martin, 14 Jesse Wilensky, 13 Sebastian Roodt, 12 Evan Frylinck, 11 Ibrahim Adams, 10 Shane Fourie, 9 Stefano de Gouveia (captain), 8 Nyashe Tarusenga, 7 Aphiwe Qaba, 6 Devon Stone, 5 Stuart Stopforth, 4 Duncan Saffy, 3 Alexander Goldstein, 2 Struan Murray, 1 Keagan Timm.
Replacements: 16 Wahl Enslin, 17 Niven Poleman, 18 Jarryd Hayes-Hill, 19 Matthew Andrews, 20 Hishaam Davids, 21 Stefan Zimmerman, 22 Robert Ball, 23 Rayno Mapoe.
NWU-Pukke Young Guns: 15 Gene Willemse, 14 Rudi Pieters, 13 Elden Schoeman, 12 Julian Delicado, 11 Zweli Silaule, 10 Siyabonga Masuku, 9 Elof Scheepers, 8 Tiaan Bezuidenhout (captain), 7 Dolf van Deventer, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Jaco Swannepoel, 4 Joshua van Niekerk, 3 Roan Grobbelaar, 2 Gerrie le Roux, 1 Komape Moloto.
Replacements: 16 Casper Aucamp, 17 Robert Hunt, 18 Wessel Steyn, 19 Francois Jacobs, 20 Eugene Hare, 21 Timothy Prince, 22 Lecander Salies, 23 Thando Magalakangqa.
NMMU Young Guns 8-34 UP-Tuks Young Guns
For NMMU Young Guns:
Try: Jamieson
Con: Baggot
For UP-Tuks Young Guns
Tries: K Van Wyk 2, De Beer, Swanepoel, Visser
Cons: De Beer 3
NMMU Young Guns: 15 Lindelwe Zungu, 14 Martin Keller, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Michael Brink, 11 Athenkosi Mayinje, 10 Jason Baggott (captain), 9 James Hall, 8 Junior Pokomela, 7 Lusanda Badiyana, 6 CJ Vellerman, 5 Wynand Grassmann, 4 Gerrit Huisamen, 3 Roche Van Zyl, 2 JP Jamieson, 1 Greg Jackson.
Replacements: 16 Tango Balekile, 17 Khoasa Mokhoabane, 18 Wihan Coetzer, 19 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 20 Sibusiso Ngcokovane, 21 Luaan Nieuwoudt, 22 Davron Cameron, 23 James Beyl.
UP-Tuks Young Guns: 15 Philip Orffer, 14 Keanan van Wyk, 13 Peet Schoeman (captain), 12 Franco Naude, 11 Divan Rossouw, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Impi Visser, 8 Luigy van Jaarsveld, 7 Marco van Staaden, 6 Jeandre Swanepoel, 5 Ashton Fortuin, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Jacobus Holtzhauzen, 2 Vuyo Khathide, 1 Xander van Wyk.
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Madot Mabokela, 18 Sam Mitchell, 19 Johannes Meintjies, 20 Stephan Enslin, 21 Brendan Owen, 22 Coneree Poole, 23 Stefaan Grundlingh.
Koshuisrugby Championships
CUT Tigers 42-13 NMMU Stallions
For CUT Tigers:
Tries: Van der Merwe, TBC, Nortjie, TBC, Schutte, Toua
Cons: Toua 4
For NMMU Stallions:
TBC
CUT Tigers: 15 Stefan Schutte (captain), 14 Erich Pretorius, 13 Clinton Toua, 12 Johan Nel, 11 TC Nortjie, 10 Dewalt Pretorius, 9 Hanro Pretorius, 8 Freddie Swanepoel, 7 Fanie van der Merwe, 6 Godfrey Sehloho, 5 Wikus Davis, 4 Ian van Wyk, 3 John Lonergan, 2 Bester Olivier, 1 Wanda Mpulu.
Replacements: 16 Junior Hough, 17 Kale Sebotsa, 18 Nelson Mashee, 19 Andre Janse van Vuuren, 20 Tumi Moahloli, 21 Hein Fourie, 22 Simphiwe Tois, 23 Lambert Rautenbach.
NMMU Stallions: TBC
UFS Vishuis 13-16 NWU Patria
For UFS Vishuis:
Tries: Slabbert, Marx
Con: Posthumus
For NWU Patria:
Tries: De Klerk, Van Rensburg
Con: Van Rensburg
UFS Vishuis: 15 Henco Posthumus, 14 Casper du Plessis, 13 Michael Marx, 12 Johan Peens, 11 Loek van der Merwe, 10 Barend Bornman, 9 Righardt Kacheloffer, 8 Jandre Slabbert, 7 Stephan Botha, 6 Nelius Van Heerden, 5 Henfred Linde, 4 E’duan Bosman, 3 Stefa Burger, 2 Hartman Ries, 1 Louis-Martin Cloete.
Replacements: 16 Ryno Gerber, 17 Gerhardt Bamberger, 18 Ernst Schoeman, 19 AD Theron, 20 Frikkie du Toit, 21 AJ Brits, 22 James Moore, 23 Philip Van Zyl.
NWU Patria: 15 Denvor Murorua, 14 Riaan Brummer, 13 Koos Du Plooy, 12 Jaco de Klerk, 11 Jandri Meyer, 10 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 9 Adriaan Labuschagne, 8 H J Du Plessis, 7 Emil Meyer, 6 Bertho Kleynhans, 5 Stefan Bergh, 4 Christopher Durow, 3 Gerhard Booysen, 2 Deon Stols. 1 Curley Carelse.
Replacements: 16 Hans Labuschagne, 17 Ruan Groenewald, 18 Hendrik du Plessis, 19 Jacque Till, 20 Mathys Syffert, 21 Luan Kleynhans, 22 Ulrich Aspelling, 23 Awie Engelbrecht.