Unbeaten Shimlas to host Pukke
The unbeaten UFS-Shimlas will host NWU-Pukke in their first-ever Varsity Cup final in Bloemfontein.
The Free State side saw off defending champions UCT-Ikeys in their home semifinal, and NWU-Pukke edged table-topping UP-Tuks in Pretoria to book a place in their second consecutive final.
A late try from flyhalf Jonny Welthagen saw NWU-Pukke snatch a dramatic 29-28 victory over UP-Tuks to send the two-time champions crashing out of the competition.
Welthagen had been the villain of NWU-Pukke's defeat to UCT in last year's final in Potchefstroom, but he turned to hero in Pretoria as a superb individual effort saw his side through.
NWU-Pukke were the only team to beat UP-Tuks in the round robin phase of the competition, and they made it a season double to set up a final clash against their old rivals in Bloemfontein on Monday, April 13.
UFS-Shimlas proved too strong for the Ikeys in the first semifinal, outscoring the Cape side by three tries to two to secure a spot in their first final which they will play in front of their home crowd thanks to NWU-Pukke's win against UP-Tuks.
*Wits will hosts UKZN-Impi in the Varsity Shield final in Johannesburg next week, after the Kwa-Zulu Natal outfit picked up a comfortable 42-0 victory over Fort Hare in Durban.
Wits had already secured a home final ahead of their clash with UWC, and the teams ended tied for the second time this season as UWC fell short of a place in the final, ending the season in third place.
*The Varsity Young Guns final next week will see a replay of last years' final only at a different venue as defending champions UFS host UP-Tuks in Bloemfontein.
*The Koshuisrugby Championship final will see UP-Tuks' Mopanie go up against UFS-Shimlas' Vishuis after they cruised to a 71-13 victory over UJ's Bastion.
NWU-Pukke's Patria cruised to an 84-0 win over UCT's Cobras, but it was not enough as they finished the season in third place.
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All the scores and scorers!
Varsity Cup
UFS-Shimlas 21-10 UCT-Ikeys
For UFS-Shimlas:
Tries: Jordaan, Maartens, Dolo
Cons: Marais 2
For UCT-Ikeys:
Tries: Klaasen, Solomon
Teams:
UFS-Shimlas: 15 AJ Coertzen (captain), 14 Vuyani Maqina, 13 Nico Lee, 12 Tertius Kruger, 11 Maphutha Dolo, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Renier Botha, 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Gerhard Olivier, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Boela Venter, 4 Johan van der Hoogt, 3 Conraad Van Vuuren, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Elandre Hugget, 17 Theunis Nieuwoudt, 18 De Wet Kruger, 19 Henco Venter, 20 Nhlanhla Hlongwane, 21 JP Coetzee, 22 Refuoe Rampete, 23 Dolph Botha.
UCT-Ikeys: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Richard Stewart, 13 Lihleli Xoli, 12 Guy Schwikkard, 11 Dylan Sage, 10 Warren Seals, 9 Ryan Dugmore, 8 Guy Alexander, 7 Luke Stringer, 6 Jason Klaasen, 5 James Kilroe, 4 Mark Prior, 3 Kyle Whyte, 2 Chad Solomon, 1 Joel Carew.
Replacements: 16 Msizi Zondi, 17 Robin Murray, 18 Jade Kriel, 19 Tinotenda Zakeyo, 20 Stephen Wallace, 21 Nicholas Holton, 22 Nathan Nel, 23 David Maasch.
Referees: Lesego Legoete, Jaco Pretorius
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: JJ Wagner
UP-Tuks 28-29 NWU-Pukke
For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Liebenberg, Jackson, Kriel, Davids, Britz
Con: Stander
For NWU-Pukke:
Tries: Redelinghuys, Rudolph, Smit, Welthagen
Con: Smith
Pens: Smith 3
Yellow Card: Jeandre Rudolph (NWU-Pukke, 8 - repeated infringements, hands in the ruck)
Teams:
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 Rudolph Smith, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (captain), 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Irne Herbst, 3 Andrew Beerwinkel, 2 Jan Enslin, 1 Justin Forwood.
Replacements: 16 Jan Van der Merwe, 17 Nqobisizwe Mxoli, 18 Dennis Visser, 19 Hein Viljoen, 20 Emile Temperman, 21 Dewald Human, 22 Adrian Maebane, 23 Dayan van der Westhuizen.
NWU-Pukke: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Dalen Goliath, 13 Rowayne Beukman, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Dillon Smit, 10 Johnny Welthagen, 9 Malherbe Swart, 8 Jeandre Rudolph (captain), 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 Johannes Briers, 21 Marnus Tack, 22 Kurshwill Williams, 23 Cayle Denner.
Referees: Rodney Boneparte, Francois Pretorius
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Willie Vos
Varsity Shield
UWC 21-21 Wits
For UWC:
Tries: Langeveldt, Plaatjes, Robertson
Cons: Hock, Langeveldt
For Wits:
Tries: Gordan, Jarvis, Herbst
Cons: Hewitt 2
Teams:
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.
Wits: 15 Tommy Damba, 14 Joshua Jarvis, 13 Koch Marx, 12 AJ van Blerk, 11 IshBunda Nkolo, 10 Brandan Hewitt, 9 Ruan van Rensberg, 8 Cameron Shafto, 7 Richard Crossman (captain), 6 Constant Beckerling, 5 Angus Gordan, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 3 Brandon Palmer, 2 Ferdinand Kelly, 1 Ameer Williams.
Replacements: 16 Chris Mills, 17 Tijde Visser, 18 Luvuyo Pupuma, 19 Ben Baggot, 20 Ruan Cloete, 21 Luxulo Ntsepe, 22 Alastair Ballantyne, 23 Ayabulela Mdudi.
UKZN-Impi 42-0 UFH-Blues
For UKZN-Impi:
Tries: Louw 3, Marais, Shange, Wessels
Cons: Dube 4
For UFH-Blues: None
Teams:
UKZN-Impi: 15 Siphatisene Dube, 14 Shayne Makombe, 13 Alwayno Visagie, 12 Marais Louw, 11 Hendrik Lategan, 10 Rowan Gouws, 9 Langelihle Shange, 8 Retief Marais, 7 Sanele Malwane, 6 Lwazi Ngcungama (captain), 5 Adam Wessels, 4 David Harel, 3 Njabulo Mkize, 2 Chris de Beer, 1 Matthew Mandioma.
Replacements: 16 Mikyle Webster, 17 Sizwe Kubheka, 18 Christiaan van der Merwe, 19 Kwezi Puza, 20 Graham Koch, 21 Yandisa Mdolomba, 22 Sandile Zulu, 23 Ntandoyenkosi Mpofana.
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.
Varsity Young Guns
UJ Young Guns 42-5 Junior Maties
For UJ Young Guns:
Tries: Kruger, Raftopoulus, Rapelwana, Buys, Brown, Roelofse
Cons: Engelbrecht 4
For Junior Maties:
Try: Joseph
Teams:
UJ Young Guns: 15 Jamie Campbell, 14 George Raftopoulus, 13 Godfrey Ramaboea (captain), 12 Lazlo Rabatin, 11 Ronald Brown, 10 Kobus Engelbrecht, 9 Christoff Buys, 8 Jo-Hanco de Villiers, 7 Derick Bezuidenhout, 6 Thapelo Rapelwana, 5 Estian Enslin, 4 Driaan Bester, 3 Kyle Kruger, 2 Pieter Jansen, 1 Siya Nzuzo.
Replacements: 16 Chris Roelofse, 17 Roelof Diedericks, 18 Wayne Pearson, 19 Kevin Du Randt, 20 Banele Ngwenya, 21 Forrest Ross, 22 Sheldon de Robillards, 23 Mcmillan Muller.
Junior Maties: 15 Pierre du Toit, 14 Jamie Joseph, 13 Thomas Jacobs, 12 Chris Smit, 11 James Murphy, 10 Muller Brink, 9 Brendon Nell, 8 Christo Smit, 7 Johan Momsen, 6 Geor Malan 5 Stephen Streicher, 4 Sebastian Laros,3 Kwame Adu, 2 Phillip Jankielson, 1 Riaan Sutherland.
Replacements: 16 Fanie de Kock, 17 Anthonie de Beer, 18 Heinrich van Dyk , 19 Alessandro Napoli, 20 Louis Storm, 21 Veranzo Pipers, 22 Caleb Petersen, 23 Johann Zeier.
Koshuisrugby Championships
Patria 84-0 Cobras
For Patria: TBC
For Cobras: TBC
Teams:
Patria: 15 Denvor Murorua, 14 Riaan Brummer, 13 Koos Du Plooy, 12 Jaco de Klerk, 11 Jandri Meyer, 10 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 9 Jacques Till, 8 H J Du Plessis, 7 Emil Meyer, 6 Awie Engelbrecht, 5 Stefan Bergh, 4 Christopher Durow, 3 Gerhard Booysen, 2 Deon Stols. 1 Ruan Groenewald.
Replacements: 16 Hans Labuschagne, 17 Curtley Carelse, 18 Coenraad Jacobs, 19 Ulrich Aspeling, 20 Adriaan Labuschagne, 21 Mathys Seyffert, 22 Luan Kleynhans, 23 Hendrik du Plessis.
Cobras: 15 Ty Wills, 14 Gianluca Rizza, 13 Joshua Attenborough, 12 Anthony van Ryneveld, 11 Zukile Dube, 10 Robert Anderson, 9 Justin Rowie-Roberts, 8 Nicholas Bester, 7 Jordan Artus (captain), 6 Neill Olivier, 5 Luke Kuhn, 4 James Pagden, 3 Chris Sexwhale, 2 Martin Chandler, 1 Samuel Theron.
Replacements: 16 Tom van As, 17 Zahil Jackerspad, 18 Luca Giuricich, 19 Luke Leach, 20 Zukile Ncube, 21 Peter Alexander, 22 Andrew Mcalpin, 23 Bradley Janse van Rensburg.
Bastion 13-71 Mopanie
For Bastion:
Tries: van Niekerk 2
Con: Mostert
For Mopanie:
Tries: van der Merwe 2, Gous, TBC, Smith 2, Weyers, Kruger, W Bezuidenhout, Cronje
Cons: Alberts 3, R Bezuidenhout 3, W Bezuidenhout
Teams:
Bastion: 15 Ruan Claasen, 14 Claude van der Wath, 13 Jarred Branco, 12 Armand Kriel, 11 Lwazi Sithole, 10 Michiel Mostert, 9 Cornel Vermeulen, 8 Zane Olivier, 7 Penyo Seriteng, 6 Raymond Herron, 5 Njabulo Madondo, 4 Hendrik van Niekerk, 3 Tshepiso Thithi, 2 Sean Koeberg, 1 Hienrich Pretorius.
Replacements: 16 Manqoba Mahlangu, 17 Titian Haylock, 18 Dwayne Marx, 19 Gareth Hardie, 20 Diederik du Plessis, 21 TBC, 22 TBC, 23 Tshepo Kubeka.
Mopanie: 15 Lourens Weyers, 14 Ruben Opperman, 13 Werner Gous, 12 Wynand Bezuidenhout, 11 Charl van der Merwe, 10 Dean Alberts, 9 Albert Jordaan, 8 Hein Schoeman, 7 Christiaan du Toit, 6 Stephan Smith, 5 Wihan Landman, 4 Paul Kruger, 3 Helgaart Gous, 2 Tiaan Heenop, 1 Ben-Louis de Wet.
Replacements: 16 Lean van der Walt, 17 Wihan Barnard, 18 Pieter Erasmus, 19 Michael Snyman, 20 Zander Cronje, 21 Rynhardt Bezuidenhout, 22 Ruan van Rooyen, 23 Andreas de Lange/Pepler Stander.