Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
FNB UP-Tuks fullback Zander du Plessis held his nerve to kick a match-winning penalty goal in the 83rd-minute of their clash against FNB UFS Shimlas. Du Plessis had missed a penalty from straight in front late in the game, but made no mistake when given the opportunity to make amends in stoppage time.
It gave FNB UP-Tuks a somewhat fortunate win against an FNB UFS Shimlas team that fought back from 20-0 down after 29 minutes to take a 39-32 lead after 64 minutes.
Shimlas centre Danco Burger and lock Pierre Uys both grabbed a double, while regular captain Rewan Kruger also scored in an impressive performance off the bench.
However, FNB UP-Tuks levelled the scores at 39-39 when replacement prop Etienne Janeke went over for his second try of the night and Du Plessis added the conversion.
FNB UFS Shimlas replacement hooker William Moffat was yellow-carded with four minutes to go, but his team continued to attack from inside their half well after the full-time hooter. Unfortunately for them, they conceded a breakdown penalty, for which Du Plessis made them pay.
FNB UP-Tuks had looked set for a comfortable win after taking a 20-point lead, with prop Dewald Donald and centre Louritz van der Schyff crossing for tries, and Du Plessis adding two conversions to his two earlier penalties.
But Burger’s first try – a seven-pointer – was followed by Uys’ first just before half-time, and when Burger scored again early in the second half it set up a thrilling battle that would be decided in dramatic fashion.
FNB Player That Rocks: Rewan Kruger (FNB UFS Shimlas)
FNB UFS Shimlas – Tries: Danco Burger (1x7, 1x5), Pierre Uys (1x5, 1x7), Rewan Kruger. Conversions: JP Duvenage (5).
FNB UP-Tuks – Tries: Dewald Donald, Louritz van der Schyff, Eduan Lubbe, Etienne Janeke (2). Conversions: Zander du Plessis (4). Penalties: Zander Du Plessis (3).