Varsity Cup: Maties get revenge, promoted Tuks bag W

02/18/2025 01:58 AM

WRAP: The Varsity Cup 2025 season has kicked-off with a bang as Maties avenge their semifinal loss to UFS last year with a nail-biting victory over the defending champs at the Danie Craven in Stellenbosch.

CUT claimed crucial points away from home and newly promoted UP-Tuks pick up a bonus point win on their return to the competition.

In Cape Town the Ikey Tigers match against the NWU Eagles was postponed as the teams were warming up after a student protest at the Green Mile.

Maties 41-37 Shimlas

The home side led 22-16 at halftime in a fast-paced, action-packed match.

From the first minute, both teams produced exciting, end-to-end rugby. Every time Maties scored, the Shimlas responded quickly, making for an entertaining contest.

However, the intense humidity and heat caused several handling errors, with Maties struggling more due to the sweaty ball, while Shimlas fell off a number of tackles in the first half.

Despite these challenges, Maties' five tries, and a penalty try two minutes before the final whistle were enough to withstand the Shimlas' relentless pressure.

Coach Andre Tredoux's team, with their never-say-die attitude, pushed hard until the end but couldn't break through.

Maties head coach Kabamba Floors can be particularly pleased with the character displayed by his youthful squad, which included 17 debutants and had an average age of just 21.

The scorers:
 
For Maties:
Tries: Elridge Jack, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Luan Botha, Armand Combrink, Joel Leotlela.

For Shimlas:
Tries: Kirwin du Preez 2, Marnus Winter.

Player That Rocks: Ezekiel Ngobeni (Maties).

TEAMS:

Maties: Prince Mulea, Armand Combrink, Herman Lubbe, Zuko Poswa, Carel van der Merwe, Fortune Mpofu, Luan Botha, Ethan Snyman, Ezekiel Ngobeni (captain), Christiaan van Heerden Smith, Joel Leotlela, CJ Marx Ryan Manuel Grant de Jager, Elridge Jack.

Shimlas: Ntokozo Hlophe, Marnus Winter, Ben Pitout, Reinier, Viljoen, Juan Venter, Henri van Heerden, Yaseen Arendse, Liam Shamburg , Hlumelo Klaas, Bradley
Pierre Giddy, Siviwe Zondani, Alwich van der Linde, Nkoka Ngobe (captain), Kirwin du Preez, Regan Izaks.

UJ 13-29 CUT

It was a one-sided contest at UJ Stadium, where the visiting team brought a wealth of experience to the pitch and secured a convincing 29-13 victory.

CUT struck first, with Jan Hendrik Bessenger crossing the try line, followed by a successful conversion from Juan Smith. Not long after, Tokelo Ntaopane added another try, putting UJ in a difficult position as they tried to catch up.

Just before the break, UJ got themselves on the scoreboard after a penalty was awarded against CUT. Mihle Matinise capitalized on the opportunity to bring the score to 14-3.

The second half saw UJ tighten their defense, making it harder for the Ixias to break through. However, CUT's flyhalf, Juan Smith, proved unstoppable as he created space on the outside.

Malcolm Lamout added a consolation try for UJ, as the Orange Army tried to mount a comeback. Their efforts paid off in the final eight minutes when UJ capitalized on a strong ruck, allowing Liam Rowan to dive over for a try.

Ultimately, though, it wasn't enough to challenge the visitors' unassailable lead.

The scorers:

For UJ
Tries: Adriano Jackson, Liam Rowan.

For CUT:
Tries: Jan Hendrik Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane, Devinto Vergotine, Juan Smith, Malcolm Lamont.

Player That Rocks: Juan Smith (CUT)

Teams:

UJ: Angelo Dube, Ryan Marimo, Bian van der Rensburg, Jaden Baillie, Josh du Toit, Dylan Viljoen, Siyemukela Ndlovu (captain), Kamo Molefe, Berwyn Bosch, Mihle Matinise, Ughan Africa, Reuven Ferreira, Sifiso Dlamini, Adriano Jackson, Asemahle Mafenyana.

CUT: Jan Hendrik Bessenger, Tokelo Ntaopane, Sisipho Nofuya, Asekho Marubelela, Kevin Strydom, JT van der Walt, Jakobus Cloete, Francois Bester (captain), KT Sono, Juan Smith, Adielson Gouveia, Liam Prinsloo, Zachery Bester, Liam Pekeur, Devinto Vergotine.

WITS 8-35 UP-TUKS

Conditions were difficult to play in, with the continuous drizzle making the playing surface slippery. However, this didn't stop the UP-Tuks from securing a 35-8 victory.

UP-Tuks hooker Allister Williams was without a doubt one of the standout players in the match, crossing the whitewash three times, with teammate and flyhalf, JP Wentzel stepping up and slotting all five of his conversion attempts.

There wasn't too much to tell between the two teams in the first half, with the game being an end-to-end affair, where UP-Tuks used their lineouts to good effect, scoring both their tries through driving mauls.

The Witsies could only console themselves with a penalty, converted by flyhalf, Tireque Apolles. At the break, UP-Tuks stole the show with a 14-3 lead.

The second half saw the Witsies making far too many errors in crucial areas, which UP-Tuks were able to pounce on and score a further three tries, courtesy of Allister Williams, Christiaan Vlok, and Munashe Dukuswa.

The game eventually saw the Juskei derby bragging rights heading to Pretoria, with UP-Tuks clinching a 35-8 victory.

The scorers:

For WITS:
Tries: Chris Kachungunu

For UP-TUKS:
Tries: Allister Williams 3, Christiaan Vlok, Munashe Dukuswa.

Player That Rocks: Dillion Smith (UP-TUKS)

TEAMS:

WITS: Ricardo Brandao, Justin Amos, Sibusiso Shongwe, Kgoposto Matlena, JD Hattingh, Joshua van Vreden, Chris Kachungunu, Thomas Beling, Drew Bennet, Tireque Apolles, Ngia Selengbe, Setshaba Mokoena (Captain), Liyema Matyolweni, Dustyn Holmes, Tirhani Masondo.

UP-TUKS: MJ Nel, Allister Williams, Johan Louw, Lilitha Matsiliza, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Haydn Kemp, Dillon Smith (Captain), Chad-Lee Valentine, JP Wentzel, Munashe Dukuswa, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Christiaan Vlok, Ambesa Zenzile, Tharquinn Manuel.