FNB CUT Ixias pulled off another sensational win in the 2023 Varsity Cup with a hard-fought 41-39 victory over defending champions FNB UP-Tuks in Bloemfontein.
The win meant back-to-back victories for the team that can no longer be considered a pushover while for Tuks the alarm bells will be ringing as it was their third straight defeat.
Tuks winger Zander Reynders opened the scoring but the home team struck back two minutes later with a try by Jandré de Beer who was later name the Player that Rocks.
For the rest of the first half, it was a see-saw battle with Ulrich Stander dotting down for CUT and Ethan Burger and Zenzile Ambesa for Tuks, giving the visitors a 23-16 lead at the halftime break.
In the second 40 minutes, the home team managed to outmuscle the defending champions thanks to two tries by Francois Bester and another one by Daniel Venter.
This led to the Ixias taking a slender 41-39 lead, and from there it was a matter of defending like crazy for the final ten minutes, which they successfully managed to do.
Scorers:
FNB CUT 41(16) – Tries: Jandré de Beer, Ulrich Stander, Francois Bester (2), Daniel Venter. Conversations: Tylor Sefoor (5).
FNB UP-TUKS 39 (23) – Tries: Zander Reynders, Ethan Burger, Zenzile Ambesa, Daimon O'Connell. Conversatons: Walter Visser (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Jandre de Beer (CUT).
Teams:
FNB CUT: 15. Titus Ricoman, 14. Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13. Botha Lesley, 12. de Beer Jandré, 11. Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10. Sefoor Tyler, 9. Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8. Bester Francois Johannes, 7. Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6. Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5. Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4. Marubelela Asekho Phindile, 3. Augustyn Zéan, 2. Drotske Tiaan, 1. Venter Albertus Bernard Human.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15. Cyster Kyle Edward, 14. Reynders Zander, 13. Daniels Lincoln Liam, 12. Fourie Gerrit Christo, 11. Lewis Clyde Alfurdo, 10. Visser Walter, 9. Cloete Rowan, 8. Venter Divan, 7. Gie Hilton, 6. Tlome Kamohelo, 5. Meiring Dawid H. Lukas (Louis), 4. Kabasele Justice, 3. Coetzee Dian Stephan, 2. Williams Allister Noel, 1. Burger Ethan.