Defending champions FNB Tuks were shocked on home turf in Pretoria when FNB UFS Shimlas scored a narrow 26-25 victory. In the process, the visitors avenged their defeat in last year’s semi-final.
Shimlas got off to a flyer with a try by winger Asanda Kunene within the first five minutes. Two more converted tries in quick succession saw the Free State side going up 21 points in just 12 minutes. Fullback Kyle Cyster got Tuks on the scoreboard with a try while the home team was also awarded a penalty try later in the half. Shimlas went to the halftime break 21-14 in the lead.
The visitors picked up where they left off in the second 40 minutes when Kunene completed his brace within four minutes. The Pretoria outfit fought back forcing Shimlas to commit errors in crucial spaces which saw flyhalf Jacobus Burger kicking two penalties. They managed to reduce the deficit to a single point when hooker Allister Williams scored from a driving maul. The conversion kick following the try of Williams was cancelled due to the new rule that states that a conversion kick must be taken within 60 seconds after a try has been scored, if the kick is not taken in 60 seconds, then the team forfeits the opportunity/points.
Scorers:
FNB UFS SHIMLAS 26 (21) - Tries: Asanda Kunene (2), Kwezi Dlamini, John Moffat. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3)
FNB UP-TUKS 25 (14) – Tries: Kyle Cyster, Allister Williams, penalty try. Conversions: Jacobus Burger. Penalties: Jacobus Burger (2)
FNB Player That Rocks: Pierre Uys (UFS Shimlas)
