Varsity Cup: Ngobeni stars in Stellies, Tuks ground Eagles
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Captain Ezekiel Ngobeni scored a hat-trick as unbeaten Varsity Cup leaders Maties overhauled UCT, while Tuks downed the NWU Eagles to climb into second place.
In round five action on Monday night, the much-anticipated Cape derby went down to the wire in Stellenbosch, Ngobeni’s three tries keeping the hosts in the contest before Maties winger Grant de Jager crossed for a late try and a 31-24 victory.
Tuks beat the NWU Eagles to remain in contention for the playoffs while UJ painted Johannesburg orange after upping the pressure to overtake Wits in the second half. A rain-soaked Bloem derby saw defending champs Shimlas dig deep and beat the Ixias in a low scoring affair.
Maties 31-24 UCT
At the Danie Craven Stadium, Maties maintained their perfect record, fighting back from a 24-17 half-time deficit to keep UCT scoreless in the second half.
Ngobeni’s third try levelled the score at 24-24 before the Maties scrumhalf was forced off with an injury. With the match hanging in the balance and time running out, the Maties found another gear and De Jager exploded through the Ikeys defence for the win.
Despite Ngobeni’s exploits, Maties lock Carel van der Merwe was named the Player that Rocks.
Leadership! The @MatiesSport Maroon Machine draw level as skipper Ezekiel Ngobeni spots the opportunity and dives over. #NxtLevel#RugbyThatRockspic.twitter.com/AFGhG0dDK1
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
Hattrick ! Oh captain my captain!
20 year old @MatiesSport Maroon Machine skipper Ezekiel Ngobeni snipes and bags his 3rd try of the game to level the scores at the Danie Craven.#NxtLevel#RugbyThatRockspic.twitter.com/ZdNNteCYu9
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) March 17, 2025
Wits 24-32 UJ
Wits and UJ went into the round five match at Wits Rugby Stadium seeking their maiden win of the competition, and it was the visitors who ran came away with the Johannesburg bragging rights on the back of a second-half surge.
Wits scored two first-half tries, through lock Thomas Beling and speedster Kevon Chirwa to make it 10-7 at the break. But UJ dominated the second 40, too many errors letting Wits down in crucial parts of the game as the visitors scored four tries to two.
Wits once again struggled to withstand mauls close to their try line, with UJ scoring two tries courtesy of Kamo Molefe.
Tuks 26-17 NWU Eagles
Tuks welcomed NWU Eagles to Tuks Stadium and took an early lead despite losing Kobus Janse van Rensburg to the sin bin. Andile Myeni opened the scoring with JP Wentzel kicking five points for a seven-point lead at the break.
The Eagles returned with a try through Indiphile Tyeda to tie it up before Tuks cemented their dominance, Lilitha Matsiliza powering across the line to regain the lead. Wentzel missed a penalty and the opportunity to extend the lead.
Eagles showed no signs of giving up with Tian van Zyl reducing the deficit to just two points at 19-17. Dewey Swartbooi's Tuks 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.
UFS Shimlas 16-9 CUT
Shimlas returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 16-9 victory over the CUT Ixias in the Bloemfontein derby.
The match 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 off turnover ball. Shimlas, in particular, left several points on the park, squandering scoring opportunities in the red zone.
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 missed two more attempts at goal 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 but Shimlas responded with a sensational try from Kirwin du Preez.
Giddy kept Shimlas ahead with two more penalties, while Malan slotted two late three-pointers in pursuit of a bonus point for Ixias. Ultimately, Shimlas did enough to claim the bragging rights and secure four valuable points.
In round six, one plays two as Maties host Tuks while fourth-placed Shimlas travel to third-placed UCT, the Eagles battle UJ at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground and CUT welcome Wits to Bloemfontein.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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