In a thrilling FNB Varsity Cup showdown at Danie Craven Stadium, FNB Tuks ended FNB Maties' unbeaten run with a 29-19 win. Played in perfect conditions, the match saw Tuks overpower the hosts, scoring four tries to Maties' two.
Tuks started with intensity, and their forwards applied heavy pressure. Tighthead prop Bom Louw crossed for the first try after a driving maul. Maties quickly responded through scrumhalf Mckyle Volmoer, whose break set up Joel Leotlela for a try. Volmoer had replaced the injured Ezekiel Ngobeni.
FNB Maties attempted an innovative tactic close to the line, but Tuks won a turnover, with the halftime score reading 9-7 in Maties' favour.
In the second half, FNB Tuks came out strong. Loosehead prop MJ Nel powered over from a maul to take the lead. Captain Dillon Smith guided his team with strong leadership, and flanker Abel Pretorius showed great determination to score Tuks' third try. Tuks’ hooker Ruan van Blommestein added a fourth try, leaving Maties on the back foot.
FNB Maties fought back, with Jean-Marc Trichard breaking through for a try, but it wasn't enough. A final penalty from flyhalf JP Wentzel sealed the win for Tuks.
Scorers
FNB Maties: Tries: Joel Leotlela, Jean-Marc Trichard. Conversions: Christiaan Van Heerden Smith (2). Penalties: Christiaan Van Heerden Smith.
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Bom Louw, Ruan Van Blommestein, Abel Pretorius, MJ Nel. Conversions: Jandre Burger (3). Penalty: Jandre Burger.
Teams:
FNB Maties: 1 Prince Mulea, 2 CJ Erasmus, 3 Herman Lubbe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 5 Carel Van Der Merwe, 6 Armand Combrink,7 Luan Botha, 8 Ethan Snyman, 9 Mckyle Volmoer, 10 Christiaan van Heerden Smith, 11 Dylan Miller, 12 Grant De Jager, 13 Ryan Manuel, 14 Joel Leotlela, 15 Elridge Jack. Replacements: 16 Luthando Makula, 17 Janlu Basson, 18 Ammaar Burton, 19 Jason Johnson, 20 Michael Chettoa, 21 Warrick Jones, 22 Samuel Badenhorst, 23 Jean-marc Trichard.
FNB UP-Tuks: 1 MJ Nel, 2 Ruan van Blommestein, 3 Bom Louw, 4 Roald Hattingh, 5 Lilitha Matsiliza, 6 Abel Pretorius, 7 Cayno February, 8 Dillon Smith (c), 9 Chad-Lee Valentine, 10 Jandre Burger, 11 Andile Myeni, 12 Kobus Janse van Rensburg, 13 Tharquinn Manuel, 14 Munashe Dukuswa, 15 Ambesa Zenzile. Replacements: 16 Edwin Till, 17 Barnard Nortje, 18 Jayd Austin, 19 Haydn Kemp, 20 Kamohelo Tlome, 21 Daimon Oconnell, 22 JP Wentzel, 23 Keane Galant.
