FNB Maties marked their 150th anniversary in spectacular fashion, securing a thrilling 41-37 victory over the defending Varsity Cup champions, FNB UFS Shimlas, at a packed Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The home side led 22-16 at halftime in a fast-paced, action-packed match.
From the first minute, both teams produced exciting, end-to-end rugby. Every time Maties scored, the Shimlas responded quickly, making for an entertaining contest.
However, the intense humidity and heat caused several handling errors, with Maties struggling more due to the sweaty ball, while Shimlas fell off a number of tackles in the first half.
Despite these challenges, Maties’ five tries, and a penalty try two minutes before the final whistle were enough to withstand the Shimlas' relentless pressure. Coach Andre Tredoux’s team, with their never-say-die attitude, pushed hard until the end but couldn’t break through.
Maties head coach Kabamba Floors can be particularly pleased with the character displayed by his youthful squad, which included 17 debutants and had an average age of just 21.
Scorers:
FNB Maties: Tries: Elridge Jack, Grant de Jager, Luan Botha, Armand Combrink, Joel Leotlela, Penalty try. Penalty: Christiaan Van Heerden Smith (3).
FNB Shimlas: Tries: Kirwin du Preez (2), Dubs Dlamini, Henri van Heerden, Stiaan Genis. Conversions: Bradley Pierre Giddy (3). Penalties: Bradley Pierre Giddy.
FNB Maties: 1 Prince Mulea, 2 Armand Combrink, 3 Herman Lubbe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 5 Carel Van Der Merwe, 6 Fortune Mpofu, 7 Luan Botha, 8 Ethan Snyman, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 10 Christiaan Van Heerden Smith, 11 Joel Leotlela, 12 Cj Marx, 13 Ryan Manuel, 14 Grant De Jager, 15 Elridge Jack. Replacements: 16 CJ Erasmus, 17 Janlu Basson, 18 Jason Johnson, 19 Louw Du Toit, 20 Dante Burger, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Pretorius Ekeji, 23 Dylan Miller.
FNB Shimlas: 1 Ntokozo Hlope, 2 Marnus Winter, 3 Ben Pitout, 4 Reinier Viljoen, 5 Juan Venter, 6 Henri Van Heerden, 7 Yaseen Arendse, 8 Liam Shamburg, 9 Hlumelo Klaas, 10 Bradley Pierre Giddy, 11 Siviwe Zondani, 12 Alwich Van Der Linde, 13 Nkoka Ngobe, 14 Kirwin Du Preez, 15 Regan Izaks. Replacements: 16 Vice Hofmeyer, 17 Conley Pieterse, 18 Ongeziwe Mobo, 19 Maynard Kleynhans, 20 Ramon Uys, 21 Dubs Dlamini, 22 Stiaan Genis, 23 Shaun Ray.
