The FNB UFS Shimlas kept their FNB Varsity Cup semi-final hopes alive with a crucial 40-33 bonus-point victory over the FNB UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein.
It was a proper humdinger at Shimla Park, a match that took a while to find its rhythm, but once it did, it exploded into a classic Varsity Cup thriller packed with drama, momentum swings and big-match intensity.
FNB UFS Shimlas struck first, with Vice Hofmeyer powering over from a well-driven maul, but FNB UCT responded in identical fashion soon after. Just before the break, Jaco Bezuidenhout added another maul try for the hosts, while Alex Vermeulen slotted a penalty to see Shimlas take a slender 12-10 lead into half-time.
The second half burst into life in the 48th minute when winger Kirwan du Preez finished a superb point-of-origin try for UFS. Moments later, Erich Visser crossed from a quick tap, stretching the lead to what looked like a commanding 18 points.
But the defending champions hit back with real intent. In a blistering two-minute spell, Sino Brawen and Jack Benade both dotted down for point-of-origin tries to wipe out the deficit in the blink of an eye. Four minutes later, UCT edged ahead for the first time when replacement hooker Johan Lombard crashed over from a maul.
With their season hanging by a thread, the Shimlas refused to lie down. As the clock ticked into the final stages, livewire flanker Ferdi Vergottini muscled his way over for a crucial try to swing the momentum back in favour of the hosts.
Then, right on full-time, Bezuidenhout bulldozed over for his second after another powerful maul - a score that summed up the Shimlas’ grit and cohesion, and one they’ll no doubt credit as a true team effort.
The result keeps FNB UFS Shimlas firmly in the hunt as the race for the semi-finals heads into the final round of league fixtures.
17 Musa Teboho Moshoaliba, 18 Faasen Laubscher, 19 Hj De Beer, 20 Ferdinand Vergottini, 21 Erich Visser, 22 Tazreeq Moerat, 23 Edward Mpinga.