Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
Defending FNB Varsity Cup champions FNB Maties slugged it out against FNB NWU in a scrappy affair, running in four tries to win 26-12.
Proceedings were largely stop-start as unforced errors ruled the day while indecisiveness spoilt many opportunities for both teams.
The Eagles opened the scoring in the 12th minute via the boot of flyhalf Keagan Fortune before the Maroon Machine's lock pairing linked up brilliantly to allow Albert Liebenberg to canter over the chalk.
The first-half contest, although brutal, did not offer much in terms of points and FNB Maties flyhalf Christopher Schreuder missed several attempts at goal. Collectively, the men from Stellenbosch failed to profit when the Eagles were reduced to 14 men with scrumhalf Riaan Genis spending 10 minutes in the naughty chair.
Fortune slotted a second penalty just after the first strategy break to hand the men from Potch a one-point lead that they protected until half-time.
It didn't take long for FNB Maties to retaliate when the match resumed as outside centre and captain David Brits was on hand to receive a pop pass from wing Munier Hartzenberg and touch down for a point-of-origin try.
The Eagles were dealt a blow during the act of Brits' try as wing Pienaar van Niekerk was handed a red card for taking Hartzenberg out in the air and spent 15 minutes with a one-man disadvantage.
The Maroon Machine continued pushing hard and received their just rewards a minute before the second strategy break as replacement utility back George Lourens sneakily scored a converted try off a lineout drive.
No 8 Ben-Jason Dixon then ran fast and hard at the defence to force himself over the line to score a scintillating point-of-origin try.
FNB Player that Rocks: Ben-Jason Dixon (FNB Maties)
FNB Maties – Tries: Albert Liebenberg, David Brits, George Lourens, Ben-Jason Dixon. Conversion: Christopher Schreuder.
FNB NWU Eagles – Penalties: Keagan Fortune (4).