FNB Maties got their FNB Varsity Cup campaign back on track with a morale-boosting 35-point victory over FNB Emeris in the Cape Winelands.
The Maroon Machine didn’t have it all their own way after a bright start by the visitors that saw them unsettle the Danie Craven and take the lead in the opening quarter. The away side frustrated the hosts, who also had two tries disallowed in the early exchanges, creating a tense atmosphere in Stellenbosch.
Despite being under pressure and denied two scores by the referee, Maties finally found their groove halfway through the first period and managed to bag the bonus point and go into the break with a 26-point lead.
Maties kicked off the second period like they ended the first, with CJ Erasmus crashing over the line inside two minutes. The visitors were stubborn in their approach and refused to give in despite the deficit, but just couldn’t seem to get a grip on the game.
Chijindu Okonta was able to pull one back for FNB Emeris, but Samuel Badenhorst extinguished any belief moments later with his second try of the night.
The sides traded a pair of tries apiece as Emeris’ Edward Sigauke and Stellenbosch’s Simon Liversage got themselves on the scoresheet before the final whistle. Maties will be brimming with confidence after scoring nine tries, full of belief as they head into a Round 5 derby clash away from the UCT Ikeys.
Scorers:
FNB Maties: Tries: Hugo Van Zitters, Samuel Badenhorst (2), Sebastian Hahn, Zuko Poswa, Ezekiel Ngobeni, CJ Erasmus, Simon Liversage (2). Conversion: Christiaan Van Heerden Smith.
FNB CUT: Tries: Chijindu Okonta, Edward Sigauke (2). Penalty: Frederick Marx.
Teams:
FNB Maties: 1 Janlu Basson, 2 CJ Erasmus, 3 Keanuh Michaels, 4 Zuko Poswa, 5 Luan Botha, 6 Fortune Mpofu, 7 Louw Du Toit, 8 Yabo Ndzamela, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 10 Christiaan Van Heerden Smith, 11 Huhgo Van Zitters, 12 Samuel Badenhorst, 13 Ryan Manuel, 14 Nicholas Fritz, 15 Sebastian Hahn. Replacements: 16 Dawie Stemmet, 17 Jason Johnson, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Luke Swartz, 20 Dante Burger, 21 McKyle Volmoer, 22 Simon Liversage, 23 Louis Fourie.
FNB Emeris: 1 Christoff Etzebeth, 2 Jacques Marais. 3 Nathi Ntuli, 4 Garren Muller, 5 Kuhle Mthimkhulu, 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 Sphephelo Mbonambi, 20 Robert Everson, 21 Sinelifa Ncwana, 22 Christian Els, 23 Denilo Jordaan.