Maties bounce back; CUT, UCT march on

VARSITY CUP WRAP: Maties recorded their first victory, while NWU Eagles overturned a 16-point deficit to beat the UFS Shimlas 32-22 and wins for CUT, UP-Tuks and UCT in Round Two.

We bring you all the action of Round Two!

Maties 43(24) UWC 21(5)

Hooker André-Hugo Venter scored four tries as Maties bounced back from their opening-round loss to UCT with a comfortable win against UWC at the Tuks B-Field.

This was a physical encounter from the get-go, with three scrums in the first five minutes, but it was FNB Maties wing Munier Hartzenberg who scored the first try.

UWC replied through wing Tasriq Mynhardt, who showed impressive pace to dot down in the corner.

The power of the Maroon Machine was evident when Venter – the son of former Springbok flank André – scored three first-half tries from lineout driving mauls. The hooker then claimed his a fourth from yet another maul early in the second half.

Replacement hooker Sean Swart picked up where Venter left off by scoring two tries from driving mauls, the second coming after UWC replacement prop Luvo Bazi had been yellow-carded.

No sooner had Bazi returned to the field than UWC flank Mauritz Swart was sent to the sin bin. However, Udubs were able to cross the line twice in his absence, through replacement flank Tinotenda Mavasere and wing Patrick Kotze, to add some respectability to the scoreline.

Player that Rocks: Nevaldo Fleurs (Maties)

The scorers:

For Maties:

Tries: Hartzenberg, Venter 4, Sean Swart 2

Cons: Schreuder 4

For UWC:

Tries: Mynhardt, Masevere, Kotze (one sev-point try)

Cons: De Kock 2

Teams: 

Maties: 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 13 David Brits (captain), 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Christopher Schreuder, 9 Lian du Toit, 8 Ben-Jason Dixon, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Siyabonga Matanda, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Dylan de Leeuw, 3 Duncan du Buisson, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.

Replacements: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Matimu Manganyi, 19 Matthys Kitshoff, 20 Mitchell Carstens, 21 Abande Mthembu, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Adriaan van der Bank.

UWC: 15 Ethan Diston, 14 Tasriq Mynhardt, 13 André Manuel, 12 Hendrik Carstens, 11 Patrick Kotze, 10 Johannes van Biljon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 8 Bradman Grove, 7 Jacques Mostert, 6 Mauritz Swart, 5 Reece Bocks, 4 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 3 Riaan van der Merwe, 2 Jason Alexander (captain), 1 Ebrahiem Davids.

Replacements: 16 Jacques Myburgh van Zyl, 17 Luvo Bazi, 18 Tinotenda Mavesere, 19 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 20 Lundi Msenge, 21 Romuald Nsombamanya, 22 Branden de Kock, 23 Justin Theys.

Madibaz 13(8) CUT Ixias 51(28)

It took just 54 seconds for them to register their opening point-of-origin try at Loftus Versfeld, courtesy of hooker Janus Venter off the back of exceptional interplay.

The Ixias touched down a further three times to secure their bonus point as fullback Cohen Jasper broke through on two occasions to record a brace while Venter bagged his second.

The Madibaz struggled at times to assert themselves but when they could muster several phases of play together, it paid off as hooker Tembekile Boltina scored off a strong lineout drive while flyhalf Tiaan Schutte landed a penalty goal for their first-half haul of eight points.

It was much the same in the second stanza as the men from Bloemfontein logged another two tries through outside centre Niell Stannard. His first saw him run a fantastic support line to run in untouched while he collected a deft cross-kick despite the attention of several Madibaz defenders to score his brace.

The period just before both strategy breaks were fruitful as NMU, like they did in the first half, scored from a lineout drive via replacement hooker Duan du Plessis.

The juggernaut that is CUT finished the proceedings with a sublime try as wing Ricoman Titus sniffed a gap and bolted 40m to score try No 7 for the Ixias.

Player that Rocks: Derik Pretorius ( CUT Ixias)

The scorers:

For Madibaz:

Tries: Boltina, Du Plessis.

Pen: Schutte.

For CUT Ixias

Tries: Venter (one sev-point try,one five-point try), Titus, Jasper 2, Stannard 2

Cons: Williams 5, Jasper.

Madibaz: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Kholiwe Konza, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Johan Lombard, 11 Njabulo Toni, 10 Tiaan Schutte, 9 Yomelela Keswa, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Jac van der Walt, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Dylan Halgreen, 4 Luyolo Dapula (captain), 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Tembekile Boltina, 1 Hugo Pienaar.

Replacements: 16 Duan du Plessis, 17 Robert Lyons, 18 Laken Gray, 19 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 20 Gavin Mills, 21 Chadwyn November, 22 Kyle Cyster, 23 Warwick Griffin.

CUT Ixias: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Ricoman Titus, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Tsepo Malumane, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Zinedine Booysen, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (c), 6 Hans Terblanche, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Eddie Davids.

Replacements: 16 Andile Mfazwe, 17 Tebogo Masemola, 18 Raynard Esterhuizen, 19 Bennett Nortje, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Xander Botha, 22 Jandré de Beer, 23 Emilio Adonis.

UJ 19 (12) UP-Tuks 47 (32)

Two penalty goals from fullback Zander du Plessis gave the host an early 6-0 lead, before UJ got on the board through the boot of flyhalf Jonathan Viljoen, who left the field shortly afterwards through injury.

The first try of the game was a point-of-origin seven-pointer finished off by UP-Tuks lock Hanru Sirgel.

Jurich Claasens kicked two penalties for UJ but two more tries for UP-Tuks, by winger Ambesa Zenzile and scrumhalf Clyde Lewis (the latter a seven-pointer) gave them a commanding 32-12 lead at the break.

Replacement flank Eduard Lubbe extended it when he was driven over the line for the hosts’ bonus-point try early in the second half, before fullback Boldwin Hansen scored UJ’s only try.

With five minutes remaining, UP-Tuks were getting nowhere with their driving mauls but a quick switch to their backs created a gap for centre Wian van Niekerk, whose try ensured he won the Player That Rocks award.

Du Plessis kicked the conversion and added a penalty to cap off a comfortable win.

Player That Rocks: Wian van Niekerk (UP-Tuks)

The scorers:

For UP-Tuks

Tries: Sirgel (one sev-pointer try), Zenzile, Lewis (one sev-pointer try), Lubbe, Van Niekerk.

Cons: D Plessis 3

Pens: Du Plessis 4

For UJ:

Try: Hansen

Con: Claasens.

Pens: Viljoen, Claasens 3

UJ: 15 Boldwun Hansen, 14 Tyreeq February, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Boitumelo Tsatsane, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Kwagga van Niekerk (captain), 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Philip Apea-Adu, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Darnell Osuagwu, 1 Kayden Kiewit.

Replacements: 16 Pierre Rabie, 17 Ethan Jeffery, 18 Junior Banda, 19 Brendon Pawson, 20 Siyabonga Masuku, 21 Mpho Kubheka, 22 Jurich Claasens, 23 Nkondlo Radebe.

UP-Tuks: 15 Zander du Plessis, 14 Johannes Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe (captain), 12 Wian van Niekerk, 11 Ambesa Zenzile, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 7 Orateng Koikanyang, 6 Stephan Smit, 5 Hanru Sirgel, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Etienne Janeke, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Cebolenkosi Dlamini.

Replacements: 16 André van der Merwe, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Damien Swartz, 19 Adolph Visser, 20 Eduan Lubbe, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Bayanda Ngubane, 23 Enrique Oranje.

Wits 22 (8) UCT Ikeys 40 (26)

Wits dazzled in the opening minutes and were rewarded for their prowess as hooker Justin Brandon crossed the chalk for an unconverted try before play was suspended for impending lightning.

The hiatus proved to light the flame under Ikeys' potjie as they bounced back with two tries to hooker Devon Arendse while Tedder landed four penalties and two conversions to hand UCT a 26-8 lead at the break.

The second half started slowly as both teams failed to bother the scoreboard until Witsies' prop Ebot Buma broke the deadlock with a converted try. The Ikeys Tigers' then resumed control of the wheel as replacement hooker Josh van Vuuren pulled back a converted try.

For the second time in as many matches, the Brandon brothers penned their names on the scoresheet as replacement hooker Morné followed on from his younger sibling’s efforts in the first half.

Wits' elation was short lived, though, as Ikey Tigers lock Connor Evans plucked the ball out of the air at the restart to score a sensational try, claiming the bonus point in the process.

Tedder's boot was on hand for UCT as he nailed eight shots at goal in total.

Player that Rocks: James Tedder (UCT Ikeys)

The scorers:

For Wits

Tries: Brandon, Buma, Brandon

Cons: Webster 2

Pen: Webster

For UCT Ikeys

Tries: Arendse 2, Van Vuuren, Evans.

Cons: Tedder 4

Pens: Tedder 4

Wits: 15 Jimmy Mpailane, 14 Lwazi Monakali, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Ngia Selengbe, 11 Matthew Mcdonald, 10 Kurt Webster, 9 Runaldo Pedro, 8 Phillip Krause, 7 Ziyanda Msipha, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Junior White, 4 Kevin du Randt, 3 Ebot Buma, 2 Justin Brandon (captain), 1 Bhekisa Shongwe.

Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Jason Cloete, 18 Sibusiso Shongwe, 19 William Thomson, 20 Constant Beckerling, 21 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 22 Hlumelo Ndudula, 23 Keagan Lailvaux.

UCT Ikeys: 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Rihaz Fredericks, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Michael Brink, 11 Liam Kloosman, 10 James Tedder, 9 William Rose, 8 Christian Stehlik, 7 Neil Otto, 6 Liam Greenhalgh (captain), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Connor Evans, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Devon Arendse, 1 Luthando Woji.

Replacements: 16 Josh van Vuuren, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Jovan Bekker, 19 Byron Bowes, 20 Taariq Kruger, 21 Kyle Bowman, 22 Sibabalwe Mzanywa, 23 Rethabile Louw.

UFS Shimlas 22 (16) NWU Eagles 32 (14)

There is no love lost whenever these teams meet in the Varsity Cup and it was no different at Loftus Versfeld as they threw everything and more at each other in the first 10 minutes before UFS Shimlas flyhalf JP Duvenage opened the scoring.

It was all UFS Shimlas for most of the first half as the hookers continued the status quo of Round 2 with William Moffat dotting down for Shimlas while Duvenage added a further eight points from the tee.

The men from Potchefstroom eventually awoke from their slumber in the last 10 minutes of the half, claiming two converted tries courtesy of wing Keano Wingvogel and No.8 Ruben Dreyer to cut the deficit to just two points.

Things slowed down quite dramatically after UFS Shimlas secured another penalty goal three minutes into the second half, yet it was the Eagles who finally took the match by the scruff of the neck as scrumhalf Riaan Genis sniped and dived for the line to score. Flyhalf Keagan Fortune's conversion handed them the lead for the first time.

The NWU Eagles then found their attacking rhythm courtesy of silky play between forwards and backs before hooker Gustav du Rand smashed his way over from close range to secure the bonus point.

The match drew to end with both sharpshooters trading multiple blows with the Eagles ultimately taking the victory at Loftus Versfeld.

Player that Rocks: Gustav du Rand (NWU Eagles)

The scorers:

For UFS Shimlas

Try: Moffat.

Con: Duvenage.

Pens: Duvenage 5

For NWU Eagles

Tries: Wingvogel, Dreyer, Genis, Du Rand

Cons: Fortune 3

Pens: Fortune 2

UFS Shimlas: 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Jorell Arries, 13 Janco Klinck, 12 Shayne Bolton, 11 Aya Matroos, 10 JP Duvenage, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Thabang Mahlasi, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Pierre Uys, 4 Dylan Sjöblom, 3 JW Meades, 2 William Moffat, 1 Danie Wessels.

Replacemetns: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Johan Schutte, 18 Tshepo Nchabeng, 19 George Rossouw, 20 Uzile Tele, 21 Chadd Adams, 22 Cornel Korff, 23 Shima Molepo.

NWU Eagles: 15 Shane van Rooyen, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Lincoln Daniels, 12 Conan Le Fleur, 11 Charl Pretorius, 10 Keagan Fortune, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 Ruben Dreyer, 7 Jandré de Beer, 6 André Fouché, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Komape Moloto, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Ruben du Plessis.

Replacements : 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Rehann Baumann, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Chris Vermaak, 21 Didi Sekati, 22 Bernu Engelbrecht, 23 Pienaar van Niekerk.

Source: @VarsityCup