The Stripe Generation had to dig deep to secure a narrow 27-24 victory over FNB Emeris. FNB UP-Tuks played hosts to newcomers FNB Emeris in a cloudy Capital city evening, aiming to return to winning ways while their counterparts were gunning for a second win.
In the battle of David and Goliath, the visitors strike first courtesy of Jayden Fortuin following a counterattack. Fortuin fly over in the corner to hand the visitors the lead.
The visitors were not done as they continued their sensational attacks, bagging a second try just under 26 minutes. Sphephelo Mbonambi powering over the line as the Emeris went 12 points up.
The home struggled to connect and barely formed any attacks.
Finally, they put points on the board, thanks to Jean Fourie. From a driving maul, Fourie dotted down to put his side back in the game.
Emeris blew Tuks' defence with a cheeky attack and deadly counterattacks. The visitors extended their lead with a try of the season contender from Edward Sigauke, cutting through Tuks' defence from the 50m mark to go all the way and fly over the try line.
Tuks looked too strong on set plays and were awarded another try from a driving maul with Fourie getting his second of the night. FNB Emeris is taking a four-point lead at the break.
The home side strikes fast in the second stanza again from a maul and the hooker Fourie. The Stripe Generation is taking the lead for the first time. Emeris showed their strength in the forwards with substitute Jacques Marais dotting down from a maul to regain the visitors' lead.
It remained a close contest with Tuks piling pressure on the Emeris defence. The Stripe was awarded the winning try by the captain. Divan Du Toit converted the extras to seal a 27-24 victory for Tuks.
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Jean Fourie (3), David Engongo, Dillon Smith. Conversion: Divan Du Toit.
FNB Emeris: Tries: Jayden Fortuin, Sphephelo Mbonambi, Edward Sigauke, Jacques Marais, Dillon Smith. Conversions: Frederick Marx (2).
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: 1 Buhle Mpaka, 2 Jean Fourie, 3 Jayd Austin, 4 Ben Jansen van Vuuren, 5 David Engongo, 6 Abel Pretorius, 7 Jacques Oberholzer, 8 Dillon Smith, 9 Chad-lee Valentine, 10 Jaedon de Leeuw, 11 Buhle Planga, 12 Kobus Janse van Rensburg, 13 Munashe Dukuswa, 14 Andile Myeni, 15 Van Reenen Kruger. Replacements: 16 Gustav Van Der Merwe, 17 MJ Nel, 18 Barnard Nortje, 19 Duncan Blignaut, 20 Akhona Kunene, 21 Akha Mjawule, 22 Divan Du Toit, 23 Hopewell Ntshangase.
FNB Emeris: 1 Thabo Njapha, 2 Andrew Davis, 3 Nathi Ntuli, 4 Garren Muller, 5 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 6 Thando Luthuli, 7 Meno Barnard, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 9 Christian Els, 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Edward Sigauke, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 13 Chris Horak, 14 Jayden Fortuin, 15 Chijindu Okonta. Replacements: 16 Jacques Marais, 17 Christoff Etzebeth, 18 Soso Maseko, 19 Robert Everson, 20 Sinelifa Ncwana, 21 Abande Mthembu, 22 Mj Schoeman, 23 Denilo Jordaan.