FNB UFS Shimlas scored a convincing 38-24 win over FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The visitors from Bloemfontein were more accurate in their execution by outscoring the home side by five tries to four in ideal weather conditions.
UFS dominated the first quarter of the game with their forwards and backs combining well to score two tries within the first 20 minutes of the game. The first was a point-of-origin try when fleet-footed fullback Michael Annies crossed over in the corner after 15 minutes. Four minutes later left wing Asanda Kunene crossed over in the opposite corner to give his side a 12-0 lead.
Maties coach Kabama Floors had some harsh words to say at the strategy break after 20 minutes. The home side's forwards started to assert themselves up front. After a few driving mauls, big lock forward Matthys Kitshoff drove over for Maties first five-pointer. Flyhalf Juan Mostert added the extras to reduce the deficit to 12-7 in favour of the visitors at half-time.
Maties immediately hit back from the kick-off after a sniping break by centre Aydon Topley who floated the ball into the hand of left-wing Ezekiel Ngobeni who crossed for the home side's second try. Mostert slotted the conversion from the touchline to narrow the score to 15-12. Shimlas winger Kunene then showed his pace by crossing over for his second with Wentzel coolly slotting the conversion to give his side a 22-12 lead.
The visitors started to show their dominance after the strategy break when replacement Cornelius Volschenk sliced through the middle of the Maties' defence to score another try which Wentzel converted to stretch the lead to 29-12.
Maties showed character by fighting back through an Aydon Topley try. crossed over in the corner.
In the final 10 minutes, the Maroon Machine went into overdrive sensing the time starting to run out. They had no option but to throw the ball around. UFS outside centre Zane Bester intercepted the ball against the run of play and ran the length of the field to score a converted try to make the score 38-17 in favour of the visitors from Bloemfontein. Maties scored a consolation try by replacement Ammaar Burton in the dying minutes to make the final score 38-24.
Scorers:
FNB UFS Shimlas: Tries: Michael Annies, Asanda Kunene (2), Cornelius Volschenk, Zane Bester. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalties: Ethan Wentzel.
FNB Maties: Tries: Matthys Kitshoff, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Aydon Topley, Ammaar Burton. Conversions: Juan Mostert (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Asanda Kunene (FNB UFS Shimlas)
Teams:
FNB UFS Shimlas: 1 Ntokozo Hlophe,2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 4 Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, 5 John Raymond Stopforth, 6 Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, 7 Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 9 Jandre Nel, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 11 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 13 Zane Bester, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 15 Michael Jnr Kurt Annies.
FNB Maties: 1 Prince Rotondwa Mulea, 2 Siyasanga Ngubelanga, 3 Friedrich Cornelius Weilbach, 4 Matthys Jacobus Bernardus Kitshoff, 5 Matthew Andrew Gray, 6 Fortune Ntokozo Mpofu, 7 Jacobus Adriaan Louw Nel, 8 Dewet Marais, 9 McKyle Volmoer, 10 Juan Mostert, 11 Ezekiel Mzamane Ngobeni, 12 Aydon Colin Topley, 13 Ryan Marcus Manuel, 14 Louis Johannes Du Preez, 15 Hofmeyr Gideon Retief.
