It was a game of two halves in Bloemfontein that in the end saw FNB NWU Eagles edge out FNB CUT Ixias 53-46.
The hosts took the lead early and extended it twice through the boot of fly-half Juan Smith before Eagles centre Arnold Volk charged down an attempted clearance from Smith and dotted down for the first try of the match.
Shortly after their opener, the visitors had to wave goodbye to Miyelani Ngobeni after he was shown a red card following poor judgement in a tackle.
Being a man short did not stop the Eagles as they raised their game, scoring four more tries, all converted by Zinedine Robinson. The half-time score was 37-12 in favour of the defending champions.
The second half began exactly as the first half ended, with an Eagles try. The game looked like it was decided, but a try from CUT prop Mamello Moshoaliba breathed life into the home side.
Smith's perfect kicking continued to keep the home side within reach.
The defending champions however showed why they currently hold the trophy. With continued strength in defence, they kept the game in their favour despite being a man short for three-quarters of the contest.
The final ten minutes turned the game entirely on its head, as the Ixias scored three unanswered and converted point-of-origin tries.
Unfortunately, it was too little, too late, as the visiting Potchefstroom team took home maximum points.
Scorers:
FNB NWU Eagles: Tries: Arnold Vlok, Matome Manyama, Naiden Jaarts, Luan van der Walt, Tian van Zyl (2), Calvin Clack. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (7).
FNB CUT Ixias: Tries: Mamello Moshoaliba, Zac Bester, Adielson Gouveia, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger. Conversions: Juan Smith (4). Penalties: Juan Smith (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Matthew Luke Fortuin (FNB NWU Eagles)
Teams
FNB NWU Eagles: 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 4 Stephan Krugel, 5 Miyelani Ngobeni, 6 Hennie Du Randt, 7 Calvin Clack, 8 Marvelous Mashimbyi, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 15 Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt.
FNB CUT Ixias: 1 Mamello Moshoaliba, 2 Albertus Human Venter, 3 Sisipho Nofuya, 4 Asekho Phindile Marubelela, 5 Kevin Strydom, 6 Tsebane Edward Stemer, 7 Irwin Ivan Meyer, 8 Tjaart Jurie Van der Walt, 9 Raydon Swartbooi, 10 Juan Arnold Smith, 11 Tsepo Siphosethu Malumane, 12 Liam Prinsloo,13 Zachary Bester, 14 Adielson Gouveia, 15 Nataniel Young.