Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
The FNB TUT Vikings overcame a slow start to thrash FNB Rhodes with 64-12.
The Vikings’ ended up scoring 10 tries, with their fourth win in five matches keeping their hopes of reaching the final alive. However, they would be extinguished a couple of hours later when FNB WSU beat FNB CPUT.
FNB Rhodes took a 6-0 lead after two penalty goals from flyhalf Matthew Royle, but tries to No 8 Laro Delport and centre Mauritz Maritz, the latter’s just before half-time, gave FNB TUT a 12-6 advantage.
Maritz scored his second try early in the second half and when flank Francois de Villiers and winger Musawenkosi Sili crossed the line, the Vikings led 31-6.
Flyhalf Lusanda Xakwana, who has been nominated for the FNB Varsity Shield’s Overall Player That Rocks award, scored FNB TUT’s sixth try, before Stallions replacement Garfield Khanyile was red-carded for a dangerous tackle on Vikings try-scorer Dieter Groenewald.
FNB TUT wasted no time in reaching the half-century mark as centre Franco Stassen rounded off a great team try. Replacement flanks Kazadi Mukendi and Handro Horn then dotted down in the final two minutes of the match to complete a convincing win.
FNB Player That Rocks: Mauritz Maritz (FNB TUT Vikings)
FNB TUT Vikings – Tries: Laro Delport, Mauritz Maritz (2), Francois de Villiers, Musawenkosi Sili, Lusanda Xakwana, Dieter Groenewald, Franco Stassen, Kazadi Mukendi, Handro Horn. Conversions: LJ Pretorius (2), Lusanda Xakwana (5).
FNB Rhodes – Penalties: Matthew Royle (2).