FNB NWU Eagles hosted TNB UP-TUKS in Potchefstroom in a Round four match of the 2022 Varsity Cup competition. The home-boys did not disappoint and stood up to the physical onslaught from the visitors to win with 17-07.
FNB UP-Tuks took the fight to the Eagles in the trenches. For much of the first half, they controlled the collisions and breakdowns, and repelled wave after wave of attack.
The nature of the contest changed, however, after Stefan Coetzee was shown a red card in the 20th minute. The FNB UP-Tuks fullback caught opposite number Heinrich Botha with a reckless challenge and the referee had no option but to send him off.
The visitors put their bodies on the line during the 15-minute period of sanction. A change to the Eagles’ front row, however, boosted the hosts’ scrum to a telling degree.
The pressure began to tell. Ruben du Plessis powered through his opponent to force a tighthead. André Fouché showed good awareness and determination to translate that opportunity into a try. FNB NWU, who had spurned several scoring chances, went to the break with a 7-3 lead.
The visitors hit back at the scrums in the second stanza. A sustained assault on the Eagles’ line culminated in a try for flank Divan Venter in the 56th minute.
The Eagles refused to give up, though. Reserve loose forward Gustav Erlank forced his way over the line to regain the lead for the hosts.
Another strong drive into opposition territory resulted in a spectacular finish by wing Naiden Jaarts. From there, the Eagles did enough to secure the win and deny the reigning champions a losing bonus point.
Scorers:
FNB NWU Eagles: Tries: André Fouche, Gustav Erlank, Naiden Jaarts. Conversion: Nivan Petersen
FNB UP-Tuks: Try: Divan Venter. Penalty: Stefan Coetzee
FNB Player That Rocks: André Fouché (FNB NWU Eagles)
Teams:
FNB NWU Eagles – 15 Heinrich Botha, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Tino Swanepoel, 12 Isrome Phatudi, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Nivan Petersen, 9 Riaan Genis, 8 André Fouché, 7 Heinz Bertram, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Ruben Dreyer, 4 Wihan Nel, 3 Sampie Swiegers (c), 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Jason Jansen. Replacements: 16 Chyle van Zyl, 17 Ruben du Plessis, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 20 Gustav Erlank, 21 Sylvester Hassien, 22 Kagiso Woodbridge, 23 Martin Venter.
FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Kabelo Mokoena, 13 Zander Reynders, 12 Lincoln Daniels (c), 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Clyde Lewis, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Hardus Rothmann, 7 Orateng Koikanyang, 6 Dian Schoonees, 5 Dawid Meiring, 4 Divan Venter, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Allister Williams, 1 André van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 Ethan Burger, 18 Danie Wessels, 19 Kabasele Nkombua, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Gerado Flusk, 22 Keane Galant, 23 Ambesa Zenzile.