Home semis for Eagles and Maties, UJ avoid relegation

ROUND SEVEN WRAP: Ahead of next week’s semifinals, it was all-out action in the last round-robin encounters of the 2024 Varsity Cup.

NWU Eagles were victorious over UCT Ikeys while UFS Shimlas navigated their way past Wits.

Maties beat CUT and UJ outclassed UWC.

The wrap continues below...

NWU EAGLES 30 – 18 UCT IKEYS

NWU Eagles secured a home semifinal following a hard-fought 30-18 victory over UCT Ikeys at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.

The Eagles started the game blazing with a try from Hennie du Randt following a brilliant run by Naiden Jaarts. Ikeys was quick to respond with a try from Ntokozo Makhaza to reduce the deficit. It didn’t take long for the home side to extend their lead with Luan Van Der Walt scoring a try from close range following long periods of Eagles’ possession.

Two quick-fire penalties from Ikeys’ left wing Ntokozo Makhaza took the score to 16-13. Minutes later Chyle Van Zyl gave the Eagles a 21-13 lead heading into half-time.

The beginning of the second half was slow as there were no tries scored in the first 25 minutes. Johan Lombard then gave UCT some hope with a try. It was a nervy end to the game but a try from Naiden Jaarts sealed the victory for the Eagles to finish at the top of the log.

The scorers:

For NWU Eagles:

Tries: Hennie du Randt, Naiden Jaarts, Luan Van Der Walt, Chyle Van Zyl

Cons: Zinedine Robinson 2, Charles Williams

For UCT Ikeys:

Tries: Ntokozo Makhaza, Johan Lombard

Con: Ntokoza Makhaza

Pen: Ntokozo Makhaza 2

Player That Rocks: Hennie du Randt (NWU)

Teams:

NWU Eagles: 15 Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 7 Tian van Zyl, 6 Hennie du Randt, 5 Franco Marais, 4 Stephan Krugel, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Ryan Koevort, 14 Luke John Burger, 13 Thomas Nel, 12 Rethabile Donovan Louw, 11 Ntokozo Sibusiso Makhaza, 10 Alexander Vermeulen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Mika Franz Schubert, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan van Rhyn, 4 Kyle Enos Ndiao, 3 Jovan Bekker, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Mhleli Khethuxolo Khuzwayo.

MATIES 26–20 CUT

Maties managed to hang on for a 26-20 victory over CUT in a cold and wet Bloemfontein.

The tough conditions marred good attacking play throughout the night.

It was the Ixias who opened the scoring through a penalty by flyhalf Juan Smith and it would be Smith who stretched the host's lead to 6-0 a few minutes later. CUT made their early penalties count before conceding the game's opening try (Roland van der Heever) to the rolling maul of the Maroon Machine.

The visitors repeated the trick when they scored their second similarly. Eric Basson gave Maties the lead for the first time, and Juan Mostert added the extras. Maties went into the half-time break 12-6 in the lead.

Maties scored soon after the restart as substitute wing Christiaan van Heerden-Smith scored for his side, and Juan Mostert converted once more. Player That Rocks Louw Nel added another try for the men from Stellenbosch and Mostert once again added the extras.

The hosts left it late once more, scoring a point-of-origin try, dotted down by Tiaan Drotskie. The home side would score again with time already up. Asekho Marubelela going over for the hosts, who left it a little bit too late.

The scorers:

Maties:

Tries: Roland van der Heever, Eric Basson, Christiaan Van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel

Cons: Juan Mostert 3

For CUT:

Tries: Tiaan Drotskie, Asekho Marubelela

Cons: Floris Brand

Pen: Juan Smith

Player That Rocks: Louw Nel (Maties)

Teams:

Maties: 15 Hofmeyr Gideon Retief, 14 Paschal Uzoma Ekeji, 13 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 12 Aydon Colin Topley, 11 Matthew Emile Van Schalkwyk, 10 Juan Mostert, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 8 Roland Leonard van der Heever, 7 Jacobus Adriaan Louw Nel, 6 Eric Chris Basson, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Edrich Viljoen, 3 Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, 2 Siyasanga Ngubelanga, 1 Prince Rotondwa Mulea.

CUT: 15 Devanito Lushan Vergotine, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 13 Zachery Bester, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 11 Liam Ethan de Wet, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Jacobus Johannes Cloete, 7 Tjaart Jurie van der Walt, 6 Tsebano Edward Stemer, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Albertus Human Venter, 1 Mamello Moshoaliba.

UFS SHIMLAS 24–12 WITS

UFS Shimlas claimed a vital 24-12 bonus point victory over Wits at a wet Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg.

The game kicked off in a cagey manner with both teams playing with caution on a wet surface. It was the Witsies that enjoyed early possession, but they failed to convert it into points, often being pegged back by handling errors.

Once Shimlas got into their groove, it was evident they would pose a threat to the Wits defence. First blood was drawn by the visitors, when hooker Liyema Mgwigwi dove over from close range, after playing through the phases. Flyhalf Ethan Wentzel made light work of the conversion, adding the extra two points to give his side a 7-0 lead.

Speedster Siviwe Zondani added his name to the scoresheet after a well-worked team play that Zondani rounded off under the poles. Wentzel once again rose to the occasion and the visitors went into the half-time break 14-0.

UFS managed to score again after the second strategy through fullback Michael Annies.

Wits hit back shortly with Drew Bennet sliding over after receiving an incredible pass from outside centre Liyema Matyolweni.

The much-needed bonus point try for Shimlas was scored by Gideon Nel, with the resulting conversion attempt striking the upright.

Wits got a consolation try in the last move of the game, with flank Kelvin Kanenungo barging his way over to see the match end 24-12 in favour of Shimlas.

The scorers:

For UFS-Shimlas:

Tries: Liyema Mgwigwi, Siviwe Zondani, Michael Annies, Gideon Nel

Cons: Ethan Wentzel 2

For Wits:

Tries: Drew Bennet, Kelvin Kanenungo.

Player That Rocks: Ethan Wentzel (Shimlas)

Teams:

UFS Shimlas: 15 Michael Annies, 14 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandré Nel, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, 6 Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, 5 John Raymond Stopforth, 4 Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe.

Wits: 15 Setshaba Mohlakoane Mokoena, 14 Dustyn Matthew Holmes, 13 Liyema Matyolweni, 12 Mark Dilan Snyman, 11 Lindani Dweba, 10 Tireque Apolles, 9 Wernich Aucamp, 8 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 7 Joshua Daniel Ferreira, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Cal Smid, 4 George Lawson St Leger Devenish, 3 Sibusiso Shongwe, 2 Dewet Lottering, 1 Elizee Kwitonda.

UJ 59–8 UWC

UJ ended their season on a high note outclassing UWC 59-8. UJ headed into this one desperate for a victory, doing just enough to escape the relegation/promotion play-off match.

UWC’s sole try came from Zinzan Magerman while Aaron Swartz added a penalty.

The Orange Army dominated both halves of the game taking an early lead through Franco Schutte who was able to move the ball along the backline. Flyhalf Kurtley Kiewiet was an essential part of UJ’s scoring, being successful with four conversions.

Schutte made it a brace after UJ made use of their line-out. Liam Rowan ensured that the home side got another five points before the half-time break.

It was Mauritz Swart who made a bold statement for UJ in the opening minutes of the second half securing a point-of-origin try. Rowan then scored his second before Maritz scored his brace, also a point-of-origin try.

David Cary, Kamva Kalipa and Berwyn Bosch were the other try-scorers as the Orange Army secured a much-needed victory.

The scorers:

For UJ:

Tries: Franco Schutte 2, Liam Rowan 2, Mauritz Swart 2, David Cary, Kamva Kalipa, Berwyn Bosch

Cons: Kurtley Kiewiet 4, Berwyn Bosch

For UWC:

Tries: Zinzan Magerman

Pen: Aaron Swartz

Player That Rocks: Rowan Malgas (UJ)

Teams:

UWC: 15 Jean van Schalkwyk, 14 Bevan Simons, 13 Denver-Junior van Wyk, 12 Emile Silivis, 11 Hlomla Ncana, 10 Aaron Benjamin Swartz, 9 Wian van der Sandt, 8 Zinzan Magerman, 7 Louan de Lange, 6 Nicholas Chipanje, 5 Michail Kasfikis, 4 Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, 3 Franco Ceasar, 2 James Coetzee, 1 Hlonela Qelile.

UJ: 15 Rowan Malgas, 14 Boldwin Hansen, 13 Sfiso Perseverance Dlamini, 12 Likhaya Tengimfene, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Kurtley Kiewiet, 9 Liam Rowan, 8 Franco Julian Schutte, 7 Philip Apea Adu, 6 Kamohelo Rorisang Molefe, 5 Connor Van Buuren, 4 Marius Coetzee, 3 Bian Douglas Janse van Rensburg, 2 Mauritz Swart, 1 Damian Baker.