It went down to the wire, but in the end, FNB Maties secured an import 56-54 victory over FNB Wits in Johannesburg with flyhalf Jurie Matthee kicking the match-winning penalty in the final seconds.
The game was played in front of a small crowd as supporters were restricted from coming to the stadium due to ongoing protests on the Wits University campus.
The first half saw Wits registering the first score through flanker Mark Snyman before Maties took a 10-7 lead courtesy of a penalty and a try from Matthew van Schalkwyk. Then the visitors ran Wits ragged to race to a 40-19 lead at the break.
In the second half, it looked as if the Witsies would launch a comeback and find their way back into the game. But a lack of discipline let them down with unnecessary penalties during crucial parts of the game.
Matthee was in fine form at flyhalf for Maties, making sure his team remained in the fight, in moments when it looked like Wits would claim a famous victory.
Wits scored four tries in the second half, while the visitors only managed one. A last-gasp penalty was unfortunately the undoing of the Witsies' hard work.
Scorers:
FNB Wits 54 (19) – Tries: Mark Snyman, Azi Afrika (2), Lindo Mcusane, Wernich Aucamp (2). Conversions: Gerswin Mouton (1). Penalties: Gerswin Mouton (1).
FNB Maties 56 (40) – Tries: Matthew van Schalkwyk, Grant de Jager, Waqar Solaan, Siyabonga Ngubelanga (2), Maselino Pooe. Conversions: Jurie Matthee. Penalties: Jurie Matthee (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Grant de Jager (Maties)
Teams:
FNB Wits: 15. Lwandile Mapuko, 14. Willem Johannes de Lange, 13. Luhle Matyolweni, 12. Setshaba Mokoena, 11. Gershwin Mouton, 10. Mokhethi Kabelo, 9. Aucamp Wernich 8. Ziyanda Msipha, 7. Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6. Mark Snyman, 5. Cal Smid, 4. Gouws Hendrik Theunis, 3. John-Kelly Okonkwo, 2. Mulea Prince Rotondwa, 1. Banele Mthenjane.
FNB Maties: 15. Rousseau Jacques Guillaume, 14. Van Schalkwyk Matthew Emile, 13. De Jager Grant, 12. Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11. Pooe Maselino Alberto Neo, 10. Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9. Volmoer Mckyle, 8. Marais De Wet, 7. Miller Simon, 6. Matanda Siyabonga, 5. Beukes Juan, 4. Van Rhyn Marco, 3. Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2. Ngubelanga Siyabonga, 1. Marais Gert Erasmus.