FNB UP-Tuks thrashed FNB WSU 80-14 in their semi-final encounter in Pretoria to remain the only unbeaten side in this year’s Varsity Shield.
The Stripe Generation opened the scoring through a try by Henry Till and it didn’t take long for Johannes Mare to score the first of his two five-pointers.
The onslaught continued in the one-sided affair as Tuks stretched their lead through fancy pieces of counterattacks. First, it was scrumhalf Chad-Lee Valentine who dummied over the line before Kobus Janse van Rensburg produced a cheeky piece of individual play beating two defenders. Kyle Cyster added his name to the scoresheet on the stroke of halftime. Walter Visser made no mistake from the tee converting all conversions as Tuks took a dominant 35-0 lead at the interval.
The home team returned from the break and were awarded a penalty try followed by a try through Juandre Jooste.
WSU then lit up somewhat, breaking through the Tuks' defence. The result was back-to-back converted tries from Sandisiwe Mkwayimba and Sinethemba Zwelonke.
Tuks however weren’t done yet and went on to score six more tries before the final whistle. Janse van Rensburg and Marais completed their brace while skipper Ethan Burger joined the party. Bayanda Ngubane spent most of the match deep in defence and finally broke away in a give-and-go with Cayno February. Substitute Jacobus Louw powered over the try-line to close out the match in emphatic fashion.
Scorers:
FNB UP-Tuks: Tries: Henry Till, Johannes Mare (2), Kobus Janse van Rensburg (2), Chad-Lee Valentine, Kyle Cyster, Penalty Try, Juandre Jooste, Ethan Burger, Bayande Ngubane, Jacobus Louw. Conversions: Walter Visser (7), Jean-Pierre Wentzel (2).
FNB WSU: Tries: Sandisiwe Mkwayimba, Sinethemba Zwelonke. Conversions: Maxwell Klaasen (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Tharquinn Thane Manuel (FNB UP-Tuks)
Teams:
FNB UP-Tuks: 1 Ethan Lance Burger, 2 Henry Edwin Till, 3 Dian Stephan Coetzee, 4 Johannes Wilhelmus Mare, 5 Cayno Douglas February, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 7 Haydn Scott Kemp, 8 Juandré Francois Jooste, 9 Chad-Lee Valentine, 10 Walter Visser, 11 Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, 12 Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, 13 Zander Reynders, 14 Bayanda Sinele Ngubane, 15 Tharquinn Thane Manuel.
FNB WSU: 1 Ayabonga Spelt, 2 Mangaliso Zixesha, 3 Sinethemba Zwelonke, 4 Kamva Tetani, 5 Hlomla Mihlali Payi, 6 Khanya Solani, 7 Pernell Mandes, 8 Esethu Zenani, 9 Esenam Mniki, 10 Maxwell Klaasen, 11 Simthembile Zozi, 12 Hlumelo Zitha, 13 Awonke Sondishe, 14 Bulelani Nondlwana, 15 Beon Frendel Hartnick.