Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The FNB NWU Eagles survived a second-half fightback from FNB UJ to record a vital win (33-29) at Loftus Versfeld. The five log points bring with it a spicy showdown in the rescheduled Round 7 match on Tuesday, 25 May.
FNB NWU led 28-8 after 52 minutes before FNB UJ stormed back to lead 29-28 after 62 minutes. But two late yellow cards proved costly for the Orange Army as the Eagles scored the match-winning try against 13 men.
FNB UJ centre Indiphile Tyeda opened the scoring with an early penalty goal, before FNB NWU fullback Pienaar van Niekerk dotted down in the right corner.
The Eagles suffered a setback when they lost flyhalf Nivan Petersen to injury but winger Charl Pretorius lifted their spirits when he added his name to the scoresheet and captain Marco Donges added another conversion.
FNB UJ were reduced to 14 men when lock Tyler Brown was yellow-carded for a high tackle after which Eagles winger Sylvester Hassien scored the first point-of-origin try of the afternoon.
No sooner had FNB UJ returned to 15 men than FNB NWU replacement centre Bernu Engelbrecht was carded for a late tackle. FNB UJ wing Prince Nkabinde then powered over for a try to make it 23-8 at the break.
Van Niekerk got his second try 12 minutes into the second half to restore the Eagles’ 20-point lead, but Nkabinde turned the game on its head when he scored a sensational individual point-of-origin try.
That was followed shortly after by replacement flyhalf Jurich Claasens’ self-converted try, which put the Johannesburg outfit 29-28 ahead.
However, FNB UJ's discipline cost them when both captain Lunga Ncube and replacement prop Nkosikhona Masuku were yellow-carded for maul infringements.
FNB NWU hooker Gustav du Rand went over for his eighth try of the tournament a couple minutes later for what proved to be the match-winner.
FNB Player That Rocks: Indiphile Tyeda (FNB UJ)
FNB NWU Eagles – Tries: Pienaar van Niekerk (2), Charl Pretorius, Sylvester Hassien, Gustav du Rand. Conversions: Nivan Petersen, Marco Donges (2).
FNB UJ – Tries: Prince Nkabinde (1x5, 1x7), Indiphile Tyeda, Jurich Claasens. Conversion: Jurich Classens. Penalty: Indiphile Tyeda.