A back-and-forth game unfolded in Bloemfontein as the FNB CUT Ixias hosted the FNB UCT Ikeys. Right from the kick-off, the FNB Ixias felt the pressure from the visiting side. The home side's solid early defence and stellar breakdown play helped them hold off the early charge and secure a 23-19 win.
The early pressure eventually cracked the home defence, and with a man short, they conceded a try to FNB UCT's pacey fullback, Duran Koevort.
The Ixias drew level following the return of captain Francois Bester, with flyhalf Juan Smith setting up Devinto Vergotine, as well as converting, to draw the sides level.
The match was marred by errors, as CUT's elusive outside centre, Zachery Bester, was shown a red card for a poorly timed tackle on an aerial UCT player.
The home side never stopped playing, though, as they soon took the lead for the first time, despite playing with a man short.
Home crowd favourite, Sisipho Nofuya, used his strength to cross the try-line, giving the home side an unlikely lead. Smith once again slotted the conversion.
The home side held their nerves, and the lead, facing a barrage of pressure from the visitors, but the Ikeys could not make the pressure count.
An early second-half point-of-origin try scored by CUT's Adielson Gouveia was converted by Smith, stretching the home side's lead to 23-7.
The visitors scored through the run of centre Kian Davis, which was expertly converted by Ntokozo Makhaza.
Makhaza would get a try of his own, following a stellar performance on the left wing of the Ikeys attack, but missing his conversion meant that the score remained 23-19.
The Ixias showed great resolve to hang on to a historic win in Bloemfontein, beating the men from Cape Town for the first time.
Scorers:
FNB CUT Ixias: Tries: Devinto Vergotine, Adielson Gouveia (point-of-origin), Sisipho Nofuya, Adielson Gouveia. Conversions: Juan Smith (3).
FNB UCT Ikeys: Tries: Duran Koevort, Kian Davis, Ntokozo Makhaza. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (2).
Teams:
FNB CUT Ixias: 1 Jan Hendrick Bessenger, 2 Tokelo Ntaopane, 3 Sisispho Nofuya, 4 Asekho Marubelela, 5 Kevin Strydom, 6 JT van der Walt, 7 Jakobus Cloete, 8 Francois Bester, 9 Raydon Swartboi, 10 Juan Smith, 11 Adielson Gouveia, 12 Liam Prinsloo, 13 Zchery Bester, 14 Clive Harzenberg, 15 Devinto Vergotine. Replacements: 16 Leon Johan Franzen, 17 Mamello Moshoaliba, 18 Malcolm Lamont, 19 Tiaan Naude, 20 Helgard Bruwer, 21 Jeric Estree, 22 Jordan Davids, 23 Matthys Corneluis Malan.
UCT Ikeys: 1 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 3 Bryan le Roux, 4 Enos Ndiao, 5 Keena Mills, 6 Sipho Dyonase, 7 Conno Jack Gordon, 8 Aidan Norris, 9 Asad Moosa, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 12 Thomas Nel, 13 Kian Davis, 14 Rethabile Louw, 15 Duran Koevort. Replacements: 16 Johan Lombard, 17 Matthew Beckett, 18 Ryno Loots, 19 Danio Botha, 20 Aden Da Costa, 21 Monray Daars, 22 Lezane Davis, 23 Luke Burger.