FNB UP-Tuks beat FNB NWU Eagles 26-17 at the Tuks Stadium in an emphatic and mouthwatering encounter - as anticipated, the collision proved to be unpredictable.
FNB NWU Eagles look strong on the attack as they cornered FNB UP-Tuks in the early stages of the game dominating the first 10 minutes.
With the relentless attack from the men from North West, Tuks were then reduced to 14 men with Kobus Janse van Rensburg sent to the sin bin. With their backs against the wall, the Stripe Generation broke the deadlock in impressive transition rugby.
The Pretoria outfit got a lineup in the middle of the park and relied on their strength and agility driving FNB NWU Eagles to their try-line. Stretched play from one end to another and finally got the break as Andile Myeni cut in to open the scoring. JP Wentzel clinical with the boot secured maximum points.
Wentzel added three more points on the board with a well-executed kick. The visitors finally registered points on the stroke of halftime. Tuks taking a 7-point lead at the break.
The closely contested affair returned with the same energy as the Eagles returned with a try through Indiphile Tyeda to level matters. FNB UP-Tuks cemented their dominance as Lilitha Matsiliza powered over the line to regain the lead. Wentzel missed a penalty with an opportunity to extend the lead.
FNB NWU Eagles showed no signs of giving up with Tian van Zyl reducing the deficit to just two points at 19-17.
Dewey Swartbooi’s 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.
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Andile Myeni, Lilitha Matsiliza, Ruan van Blommestein. Conversions: JP Wentzel (3). Penalty: JP Wentzel.
FNB NWU Eagles: Tries: Indiphile Tyeda, Tian van Zyl. Conversions: Stehan Heymans (2). Penalty: Stehan Heymans.
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: 1 MJ Nel, 2 Edwin Till, 3 Jayd Austin, 4 Roald Hattingh, 5 Lilitha Matsiliza, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 7 Haydn Kemp, 8 Dillon Smith, 9 Daimon Oconnell, 10 JP Wentzel, 11 Andile Myeni, 12 Keane Galant, 13 Tharquinn Manuel, 14 Munashe Dukuswa, 15 Ambesa Zenzile. Replacements: 16 Ruan Van Blommestein, 17 Barnard Nortje, 18 Bom Louw, 19 Cayno February, 20 Abel Pretorius, 21 Chad-lee Valentine, 22 Jandre Burger, 23 Kobus Janse Van Rensburg.
FNB NWU Eagles: 1 Alethwa Buthelezi, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 3 Ntobeko Shezi, 4 Tsepo Tlaka, 5 Stephan Krugel, 6 Ricardo Fourie, 7 Tian Van Zyl, 8 Guhan Du Bois, 9 Sanele Zungu, 10 Stehan Heymans, 11 Indiphile Tyeda, 12 Nico Liversage, 13 Matthew Fortuin, 14 Naiden Jaarts, 15 Luan Van Der Walt. Replacements: 16 Hanro Venter, 17 Jaco Du Toit, 18 Bradley Stanfliet, 19 Schalk Van Schalkwyk, 20 Francois Pretorius, 21 Therlow Prins, 22 Divan Du Toit, 23 Isrome Phatudi.