FNB UFS Shimlas made it back-to-back wins by beating their big rivals FNB NWU Eagles 35-26 in Bloemfontein. This was thanks to a last-second try by the replacement flanker, Henri van Heerden.
Shimlas took the lead in the 8th minute with the hard-working captain and lock, Pierre Uys, using his power to cross the line for a converted try. The inspirational Kwezi Dlamini doubled the lead for the home team following sustained pressure after a lineout.
Flanker Siyambuka Ningiza rounded off a stunning point of origin try, which came from a brilliant cross-field kick by Shimla's flyhalf Ethan Wentzel as they raced to a 21-0 lead. Eagles hooker Chyle van Zyl managed to score for the visitors on the stroke of half-time following a strong lineout maul from a penalty.
It took 20 minutes for the points to be scored in the second half and that came via NWU tighthead prop, Ntobeko Shezi. Shimlas struck back minutes later through their winger, Siviwe Zondani.
Tries by Mpho Kubheka and Shaun-Christian Baxter saw the Eagles draw level at 26-26, but it was Van Heerden who stole the show with a stunning point-of-origin try to seal the victory for Shimlas.
Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas: Tries: Pierre Uys, Kwezi Dlamini, Siyambuka Ningiza, Siviwe Zondani, Henri van Heerden. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (3)
FNB NWU Eagles: Tries: Chyle van Zyl, Ntobeko Shezi, Mpho Kubheka, Shaun-Christian Baxter Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (3).
FNB Player That Rocks: Jandré Nel (FNB UFS Shimlas)
Teams:
FNB UFS Shimlas: 1 Ntokozo Hlophe, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 3 Riaan Jacobus van der Merwe, 4 Pierre-Raymond Uys, 5 Reinier Viljoen, 6 Cornelius Hermanus Smit Volschenk, 7 Siyambuka Sobe Nakhane Ningiza, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 9 Jandré Nel,10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 11 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 13 Zane Bester, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 15 Avuyile Mabece.
FNB NWU Eagles: 1 Matome Molebogeng Manyama, 2 Chyle Van Zyl, 3 Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, 4 Stephan Krugel, 5 Franco Marais, 6 Hennie du Randt, 7 Tian Van Zyl, 8 Calvin Clack, 9 Aphelele Emihle Madaka, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 12 Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, 13 Matthew Luke Fortuin, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 15 Shaun-Christian Baxter.
