Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The first round of the Varsity Cup was completed yesterday with the win of Ikeys against the Maties (27-20).
Ikey must be seen as the early favourites for the 2021 title. Maties and Tuks' forwards must be their main reason for them not being classified as the hot favourites. The rest of the teams are set to entertain with UJ unfortunately our favourite for th wooden spoon.
FNB UCT Ikeys claimed their first win (27-20) against their arch-rivals in six matches and ended FNB Maties’ 25-match winning streak in the FNB Varsity Cup. Maties were overshadowed by their opponents with the winning margin not a true reflection of the match.
FNB UFS Shimlas tried as they might to snatch victory at the death but had to settle for a 28-28 draw with FNB UWC. FNB UWC and FNB UFS Shimlas both went into the match sporting new coaches in Paul Treu (former Blitzboks coach) and Pote Human (former Bulls coach) yet nerves seemed to be settled as their experience shone through once the opening minutes worth of teething problems ticked past.
All eyes were on the FNB Madibaz upon their return to the FNB Varsity Cup and they gave a good account of themselves against the highly-rated FNB NWU Eagles. The Eagles started the game like a house on fire but ran out of steam in the second quarter. However, their replacements had the effect their management hoped for and secured a 47-28 win.
We discuss Varsity Cup Day 2 Wrap & Players To Watch
FNB NWU EAGLES 47-28 FNB MADIBAZ
FNB NWU Eagles – 15 Shane van Rooyen, 14 Keano Windvogel, 13 Lincoln Daniels, 12 Conan Le Fleur, 11 Andries van Niekerk, 10 Marco Donges, 9 Caleb Louw, 8 André Fouché, 7 Sphephelo Mabuza, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 Jeandré Leonard, 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 Komape Moloto, 2 Gustav du Rand, 1 Ruben du Plessis. Replacements: 16 Vernon Paulo, 17 Abraham Baumann, 18 Arno Gustafson, 19 Wihan Nel, 20 Ruben Dreyer, 21 Riaan Genis, 22 Keagan Fortune, 23 Meyer Kriel.
FNB Madibaz – 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Khakalethu Bophi, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Johan Lombard, 11 Kholiwe Konza, 10 Christiaan Schutte, 9 Yomelela Keswa, 8 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 7 Jaco van der Walt, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Hardus van Eeden, 4 Luyolo Dapula (c), 3 Le-Kleu Stokes, 2 Tembekile Boltina, 1 Hugo Pienaar. Replacements: 16 Duan du Plessis, 17 Robert Lyons, 18 Ruan Jonker, 19 Dylan Halgreen, 20 Laken Gray, 21 Gavin Mills, 22 Chadwyn November, 23 Kyle Cyster.
FNB UWC 28-28 FNB UFS Shimlas
FNB UWC – 15 Gilroy Lee Philander, 14 André Manuel, 13 Aydon Topley, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Lundi Msenge, 10 Mikyle Vraagom, 9 Branden de Kock, 8 Bradman Grove, 7 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere, 5 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 4 Pieter-Steyl Swanepoel (c), 3 Justin Theys, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Luvo Bazi. Replacements: 16 Jason Alexander, 17 Riaan van der Merwe, 18 Johan Lamprecht, 19 Mauritz Swart, 20 Conwill Conradie, 21 Reece Bocks, 22 Tasriq Mynhardt, 23 Bronlee Mouries.
FNB UFS Shimlas – 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Jorell Arries, 13 Shayne Bolton, 12 Janco Klinck, 11 Luthando Buthelezi, 10 Ethan Wentzel, 9 Rewan Kruger (c), 8 Ruwald van der Merwe, 7 Kamohelo Chabana, 6 Thabo Ndimande, 5 Thabang Mahlasi, 4 Pierre Uys, 3 JW Meades, 2 William Moffat, 1 Daniel Wessels. Replacements: 16 Carl Wijburg, 17 Johan Schutte, 18 Henty Beukes, 19 George Rossouw, 20 Uzile Tele, 21 Hlumelo Klaas, 22 JP Duvenage, 23 Luyanda Mkhize.
FNB UCT IKEYS 26-20 FNB MATIES
FNB UCT Ikeys – 15 Athi Gazi, 14 Liam Kloosman, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Michael Brink, 11 Rethabile Louw, 10 James Tedder, 9 William Rose, 8 Christian Stehlik, 7 Neil Otto, 6 Liam Greenhalgh (c), 5 Gary Porter, 4 Matthew Grobler, 3 Robert Hunt, 2 Devon Arendse, 1 Luthando Woji. Replacements: 16 Josh van Vuuren, 17 Seth Christian, 18 Jovan Bekker, 19 Byron Bowes, 20 Taariq Kruger, 21 Kyle Bowman, 22 Sibabalwe Mzanywa, 23 Rihaz Fredericks.
FNB Maties – 15 Adriaan van der Bank, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 David Brits, 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Mike Mavovana, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Hannes Gous, 7 Matthys Kitshoff, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Juan Beukes, 4 Simon Miller, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Hendrik Luus, 1 Dian Bleuler. Replacements: 16 André-Hugo Venter, 17 Leon Lyons, 18 James Combrinck, 19 Matthew Gray, 20 Jacobus Nel, 21 Lian du Toit, 22 Taigh Schoor, 23 Sibabalwe Xamlashe.