FNB Maties warded off a second-half comeback by FNB UP-Tuks to record a 46-35 victory in Stellenbosch, thus ending the defending champions’ hope of making it to the semi-finals of this year’s competition. It was their fifth consecutive defeat in 2023.
An early try by inside centre Waqar Solaan gave Maties a 7-0 lead after flyhalf and captain Jurie Matthee added the extras. The visitors struck back courtesy of a score by hooker Allister Williams and drew level after number 10 Walter Visser, brother of Springbok Sevens player Impi Visser, converted the try.
Matthee added another penalty before outside centre Grant de Jager intercepted a pass to run 70 metres for a point-of-origin try which made it 19-7. Matthee kept the scoreboard pressure with a conversion and a penalty to consolidate Maties’ hold on the match.
Wing Matthew Van Schalkwyk rounded off some superb interplay with De Jager and fullback Cade Croy for his try. Matthee’s conversion took the halftime score to 31-7 with the hosts looking to extract a measure of revenge for last year’s final loss against the visitors.
The second half was ignited with a moment of magic when Jacques Rousseau danced his way past the Tuks defenders to score in the corner for Maties.
There was a glimmer of hope for the defending champions when Zander Reynders, Zandre Kruger and Visser crossed the try-line. A penalty by Matthee and a late try by lock Simon Miller however extinguished any hopes of a victory for the visitors. Tuks had one last through of the dice with a consolation try by Bayanda Ngubane but it was a case of too little, too late.
Scorers:
FNB Maties 46 (31) – Tries: Waqar Solaan, Grant De Jager, Matthew Van Schalkwyk, Jacques Rousseau, Simon Miller. Conversions: Jurie Matthee (4). Penalties: Jurie Matthee (4)
FNB UP-Tuks 35 (7) – Tries: Allister Williams, Zander Reynders, Zandre Kruger, Walter Visser, Bayanda Ngubane. Conversions: Walter Visser (3), Clyde Lewis (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Grant De Jager (Maties)
Teams:
FNB Maties: 15 Croy Cade Martin, 14 Titus Beon, 13 De Jager Grant, 12 Solaan Waqar Bradwell, 11 Van Schalkwyk Matthew Emile, 10 Matthee Jurie Johannes, 9 Bursey Thomas Stephen, 8 Stemmet Hendrik Daniël, 7 Nel Adriaan Jacobus Nel, 6 Matanda Siyabonga, 5 Miller Simon, 4 Van Rhyn Marco, 3 Burton Moegammad Anmaar, 2 Ngubelanga Siyabonga, 1 Matonga Vernon Tadiwa.
FNB UP-Tuks: 15 Myeni Samkelo Andile, 14 Zenzile Ambesa, 13 Reynders Zander, 12 Daniels Lincoln Liam, 11 Lewis Clyde Alfurdo, 10 Visser Walter, 9 Cloete Rowan, 8 Schoonees Dian, 7 Gie Hilton, 6 Nkombua Justice Kabasele, 5 Meiring Dawid H. Lukas (Louis), 4 Mare Johannes Wilhelmus, 3 Coetzee Dian Stephan, 2 Williams Allister Noel, 1 Burger Ethan.