The FNB UP-Tuks ran riot in the second half at CUT Park in Bloemfontein on Monday night as they returned to winning ways in the FNB Varsity Cup by defeating the FNB CUT 63-26.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, with the lead changing hands multiple times. However, in the second stanza, the visitors turned on the style to claim a convincing win against the team that had beaten them in Bloemfontein two years ago.
FNB UP-Tuks were the first to get on the scoreboard following a massive 22m gain from a lineout maul, which resulted in FNB CUT collapsing and left the referee with no option but to award a penalty try. Their joy was short-lived, though, as Ixias hooker Tokelo Ntaopane powered over for a converted try just minutes later, also from a lineout maul after a penalty.
Winger Munashe Dukuswa then put FNB UP-Tuks back in the lead by scoring in the corner, but FNB CUT responded once again, with Clive Hartzenberg flying over for a point-of-origin try, sparked by Adielson Gouveia deep in their own half. On the stroke of half-time, the Tuks hooker crossed the whitewash to put the team from the capital city ahead 19-14 at the break.
The second half opened up significantly, and in the early exchanges, both Edwin Till and Dukuswa completed their respective braces, stretching the lead to 17 points. While Leon Franzsen and Jordan Davids managed to score for the hosts, it was one-way traffic from the five-time champions—Chad-Lee Valentine, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, and Lilitha Matsiliza all adding their names to the scoresheet.
The Ixias put up a valiant fight, but they simply didn’t have enough to stop FNB UP-Tuks from exacting revenge.
Scorers:
FNB CUT: Tries - Tokelo Ntaopane, Clive Hartzenberg (point-of-origin), Leon Franzsen, Jordan Davids. Conversion: Matthys Corneluis Malan.
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Penalty Try, Munashe Dukuswa (2), Edwin Till (2), Daimon O'Connell (point-of-origin), Chad-Lee Valentine, Kobus Janse van Rensburg (point-of-origin), Lilitha Matsiliza. Conversions: Jandre Burger (3), JP Wentzel (3).
Teams:
FNB CUT: 15 Devinto Vergotine, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 13 Rorisang Masoeu, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 11 Clive Hartzenberg, 10 Matthys Malan, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 8 Francois Bester (c), 7 Janko Cloete, 6 JT Van Der Walt, 5 Kevin Strydom, 4 Asekho Marubelela, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 2 Tokelo Ntaopane, 1 Jan-Hendrik Bessenger. Replacements: 16 Leon Johan Franzsen, 17 Mamello Moshoaliba, 18 Malcolm Lamont, 19 Tsebano Stemer, 20 Helgard Bruwer, 21 Jeric Estree, 22 Jordan Davids, 23 Jean Swart.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Ambesa Zenzile, 14 Munashe Dukuswa, 13 Tharquinn Manuel, 12 Kobus Janse van Rensburg, 11 Andile Myeni, 10 JP Wentzel, 9 Daimon O'Connell, 8 Dillon Smith (c), 7 Haydn Kemp, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 David Engongo, 4 JW Mare, 3 Jayd Austin, 2 Edwin Till, 1 MJ Nel. Replacements: 16 Dian Marais, 17 Jean Fourie, 18 Bom Louw, 19 Lilitha Matsiliza, 20 Cayno February, 21 Chad-lee Valentine, 22 Jandre Burger, 23 Christiaan Vlok.
