FNB Maties took revenge for their defeat by 2021 Varsity Cup champions in the 2021 semi-final when they won in an error-ridden match in Pretoria last night. Replacement hooker Sean Swart scored a 70th-minute try as FNB Maties beat FNB UP-Tuks 19-9 at Tuks Stadium.
Maties dominated possession and territory but weren’t able to take their try-scoring chances in the first half.
They relied on captain Adriaan van der Bank to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with opposite number Jandré Burger also kicking three penalties to make it 9-9.
The visitors' bold decision to kick a late penalty to touch instead of at goal paid off as they won the lineout and rumbled over the tryline with Swart the man to dot down.
Replacement Jurie Mathee kicked the conversion and added an 80th-minute penalty to seal the win.
FNB Player That Rocks: Juan Beukes (FNB Maties)
FNB Maties: Try: Sean Swart. Conversion: Jurie Mathee. Penalties: Adriaan van der Bank (3), Jurie Mathee.
FNB UP-Tuks: Penalties: Jandré Burger (3).
FNB UP-Tuks – 15 Kabelo Mokoena, 14 Stefan Coetzee, 13 Lincoln Daniels (c), 12 Keane Galant, 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Jandré Burger, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Eduan Lubbe, 7 Orateng Koikanyang, 6 Divan Venter, 5 Mihlali Stamper, 4 Dawid Meiring, 3 Daniël Wessels, 2 Werner Fourie, 1 Andre van der Merwe. Replacements: 16 Allister Williams, 17 Edwin Till, 18 Ethan Burger, 19 Dian Schoonees, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Ambesa Zenzile, 22 Zandré Kruger, 23 Campwill Willemse.
FNB Maties – 15 Navaldo Fleurs, 14 Marcqiewn Titus, 13 Anton du Toit, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Mike Mavovana, 10 Adriaan van der Bank (c), 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Louw Nel, 7 Marco van Rhyn, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matt Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Chris Rossouw, 1 Rhynardt Rijnsburger. Replacements: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Wian van Zyl, 18 Vernon Matongo, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siya Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Mathee, 23 Waqar Solaan.