Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
FNB Maties thrashed FNB UFS Shimlas (81-24) at Loftus Versfeld to set up a semi-final meeting with FNB UP-Tuks. The five-time champions, who outscored their opponents by 11 tries to four, appear to be hitting their straps at the right time of the tournament.
It took FNB Maties less than two minutes to cross Shimlas’ line when scrumhalf Lian du Toit scored a converted point-of-origin try.
FNB Shimlas flank Thabo Ndimande was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes, and FNB Maties scored 16 points in his absence through hooker JJ Kotze and winger Marcqiewn Titus to go 25-0 up. Kotze then finished off a great team effort to score his second try, this one a seven-pointer.
FNB UFS Shimlas finally got on the scoreboard through centre Danco Burger but FNB Maties replacement back Juan Mostert scored their fifth try on the stroke of half-time to make it 39-5.
The maroon machine started the second half in the same fashion as the first when lock Dylan de Leeuw scored a point-of-origin try, and flank Gift Dlamini then took them beyond the 50-point mark.
FNB UFS Shimlas did well to score three tries in the final 22 minutes of the match through replacement wing Shima Molepo, replacement scrumhalf Rewan Kruger and flyhalf JP Duvenage.
But FNB Maties finished strongly, scoring three tries in the last 10 minutes, with replacement hooker HJ Luus grabbing a brace and centre Waqar Solaan also dotting down.
FNB Player That Rocks: Lian du Toit (FNB Maties)
FNB Maties – Tries: Lian du Toit (2x7), JJ Kotze (1x5, 1x7), Marcqiewn Titus (1x7), Juan Mostert, Dylan de Leeuw (1x7), Gift Dlamini, HJ Luus (2), Waqar Solaan. Conversions: Christopher Schreuder (8).
FNB UFS Shimlas – Tries: Danco Burger, Rewan Kruger, Shima Molepo (1x7), JP Duvenage. Conversion: Duvenage.