The clash between FNB Emeris and FNB CUT Ixias turned into a crucial battle in the fight to avoid relegation, with both sides desperate to secure valuable points. The match began with intense physicality as the teams approached the contest cautiously, focusing on structured play and minimizing early mistakes.
The cracks started to inevitably come as visitors began making some errors as their winger recurved a sometime out on a yellow card.
FNB Emeris wasted no time from then to take the advantage as they received a good line out from a few meters out; captain Jacques Marais carried the ball to dot down for his team in a driving maul. Frederick Marx made no mistakes on the conversion kick as he gave his team 7 points.
Just a minute after the first half Strategy break, momentum was with the home team.
The FNB Emeris eventually found some space in the defense of the visitors, left flanker Thando Luthuli dropped a shoulder and steps out a defender of the Ixias to dot down. Tensions quickly escalated as The Comets opted for the tap power play which worked beautifully as Chijindu found some space behind the FNB CUT backline to dot down.
Right before the halftime break came, FNB CUT announced their presence on the scoreboard Jade Muller who was sent off the pitch earlier in the game found some space in the backline of the home team to dot down for a POR try.
Halftime came and the score was 17-7 to the home team FNB Emeris.
The second half began on a high not as the home team looked to extend their lead quickly into the half, which they did so. Fullback Chijindu Okonta bagged himself a brace in a POR try. Fly half Frederick Marx extended the lead with a successful conversion taking the score to 26–7.
FNB Ixias made things more interesting as they made their presence on the score felt once more. Matthys Malan bumped his man off to dot down for his team. The visitors opted for the tap power play which they worked beautifully, Jade Muller made amends of his mistake earlier in the match as he dotted down for his brace taking the score to 26–17.
The goosebumps grew exponentially as the visitors bagged in another try by Winton Abrahams Kehan Myburgh good on the conversion 26–24 with 10 minutes to play.
The nerves were high for the last minutes of the game as just 2 points separated the team.
FNB Emeris managed to hang on their lead and claim their first win of the tournament.
Scorers:
FNB Emeris : Tries : Jacques Marais, Thando Luthuli, Chijindu Okonta (2). Conversions: Frederick Marx (2).
FNB CUT Ixias: Tries: Jade Muller (2), Matthys Malan, Winton Abrahams. Conversion: Kehan Myburgh.
Teams:
FNB EMERIS: 1 Christoff Etzebeth, 2 Jacques Marais, 3 Nathi Ntuli, 4 Garren Muller, 5 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 6 Thando Luthuli, 7 Meno Barnard, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 9 Abande Mthembu, 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Edward Sigauke, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 13 Chris Horak, 14 Nkazimulo Mzolo, 15 Chijindu Okonta. Replacements: 16 Andrew Davis, 17 Thabo Njapha, 18 Soso Maseko, 19 Sinelifa Ncwana, 20 Robert Everson, 21 Christian Els, 22 Mj Schoeman, 23 Denilo Jordaan.
FNB CUT IXIAS: 1 Jan Hendrik Bessenger, 2 Tokelo Ntaopane, 3 Vuyo Holiday, 4 Petrus Nel, 5 Oyama Frans, 6 Jordan Davids, 7 Dean Sciocatti, 8 Hope Seyaga, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 10 Kehan Myburgh, 11 Jade Muller, 12 Winton Abrahams, 13 Matthys Corneluis Malan, 14 Kutlo Seyoko, 15 Devinto Vergotine. Replacements: 16 Malekela Chilli Malothane, 17 Neo Lesoetsa, 18 Bernard Labuschagne, 19 Durandt Van Aswegen, 20 Tsebano Stemer, 21 Emlyhn Jacobs, 22 Jean Swart, 23 Katlego Shebu.