Determined defence prevailed against all-out attack when FNB UP-Tuks beat FNB UFS Shimlas 29-21 in Bloemfontein.
Fullback Stefan Coetzee kicked a penalty and then scored a try to give the visitors an 8-0 lead after seven minutes. FNB UFS Shimlas hit back to score three tries before the break. FNB UP-Tuks did well to punish the hosts’ mistakes, however, and to stay in touch on the scoreboard.
Captain Lincoln Daniels ran through the FNB UFS Shimlas defence after half-time to reclaim the lead for his side. The visitors received another boost when Shimlas hooker Carl Wijburg was shown a yellow card for cynical play. The ambitious hosts persisted with their ball-in-hand tactics. The FNB UP-Tuks defence was more than equal to the task, though, and managed to keep the much-vaunted attack scoreless in the second stanza.
When the visitors won a penalty in their own half in the 58th minute, Coetzee stepped up to slot the long-range goal. For the second time in the game, FNB UP-Tuks enjoyed an eight-point lead over their more fancied opponents. Excellent game management in the closing stages ensured that FNB UP-Tuks retained that lead, won the game, and marched on to yet another FNB Varsity Cup final.
FNB UFS Shimlas 21 (21) – Tries: Janco van Heyningen (1x7), Thabang Mahlasi, Ruwald van der Merwe. Conversions: Litha Nkula (2).
FNB UP-Tuks 29 (19) – Tries: Stefan Coetzee, Bernard van der Linde, Lincoln Daniels. Conversion: Stefan Coetzee. Penalties: Stefan Coetzee (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Bernard van der Linde (FNB UP-Tuks)