The big Cape derby, as well the historic occasion, certainly lived up to the hype. In spite of cold and windy conditions on the Green Mile, both sides played the game at a lively tempo and dotted down for a point-of-origin try within the first 10 minutes.
From there, the FNB Maties forwards began to impose themselves at the gainline. The hosts battled to cope with the physicality of the Maroon Machine and conceded penalty after penalty. Scrumhalf William Rose was shown a yellow card for poor discipline in the 13th minute.
Tighthead prop Vernon Matongo showed terrific skill and determination to finish a try shortly before half-time. A conversion and a subsequent penalty by fullback Nevaldo Fleurs ensured that the visitors went to the break with a 17-10 lead.
True to form, the Ikey Tigers came out firing in the second stanza. Tries by replacements Imad Khan and Mika Schubert kept them in the contest, as did the boot of fullback Duran Koervort.
Just when it appeared as if FNB Maties might regain control, Hartzenberg received the ball in space and raced more than 50m to score a point-of-origin try. Koevort’s conversion propelled the hosts into an eight-point lead with eight minutes remaining.
FNB Maties struggled to control possession in the dying stages. When FNB UCT received one final opportunity, however, Hartzenberg accelerated past the exhausted defenders to score his second try and seal the result.
Scorers:
FNB UCT Ikeys 44 (10) – Tries: Rihaz Fredericks (1x7), Imad Khan (1x7), Mika Schubert, Suleiman Hartzenberg (2x7). Conversions: Duran Koevort (4). Penalty: Duran Koevort.
FNB Maties 27 (17) – Tries: Adriaan van der Bank (1x7), Vernon Matongo, Simon Miller. Conversions: Nevaldo Fleurs (2). Penalties: Nevaldo Fleurs (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Suleiman Hartzenberg (FNB UCT Ikeys)
Teams:
FNB UCT Ikeys – 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rihaz Fredericks, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Rethabile Louw, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 David Hayes, 9 William Rose, 8 Jason MacLeod Smith, 7 Taariq Kruger, 6 Sipho Dyonase, 5 Thomas Meyer, 4 Reynhardt Crous, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Woji (c). Replacements: 16 Alex Castle, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Alizwa Mngqeta, 19 Mika Schubert, 20 Matthew Hamilton, 21 Imad Khan, 22 Kian Davis, 23 Thoubaan Gabriels.
FNB Maties – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Mike Mavovana, 13 Waqar Solaan, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 10 Adriaan van der Bank (c), 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Simon Miller, 7 De Wet Marais, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Vernon Matongo, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements: 16 Jan-Corrick van der Watt, 17 Wian van Zyl, 18 Corné Weilbach, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siyabonga Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Brendan Venter, 23 Marcqiewn Titus.