Cape talent shines in Williams memorial, UP-Tuks snatch thrilling win

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The inaugural Chester Williams Memorial Trophy match produced a thriller as UCT beat UWC 58-55, while UP-Tuks scored a late penalty to beat Shimlas in the Varsity Cup on Monday.

MATIES 44 (30) MADIBAZ 14 (0)

Monday’s round-seven action started with a rather one-sided affair as Maties strode to a comfortable 44-14 victory over the Madibaz in the early afternoon kick-off.

The title holders had run in four first-half tries, including a brace from fullback Juan Mostert, to open up a 30-0 lead at the break.

At that stage it looked like the Madibaz would be in for a long afternoon. When Maties captain David Brits scored his second try at the start of the second half, with flank Gift Dlamini adding to the lead, the Eastern Cape side were left with a mountain to climb.

To their credit, the Madibaz kept fighting and got their first try when substitute Khakalethu Bophi sprinted clear down the touchline for a seven-pointer. Likhona Dywili added further respect to the scoreline with a try in the last couple of minutes.

Player That Rocks: Juan Mostert (Maties).

Maties – Tries: Thys Kitshoff, Juan Mostert (1×5, 1×7), David Brits (2), Gift Dlamini (1×7). Conversions: Adriaan van der Bank (5).
Madibaz – Tries: Khakalethu Bophi (1×7), Likhona Dywili. Conversion: Tiaan Schutte.

UCT IKEYS 58 (31) FNB UWC 55 (22)

The action continued as UCT and UWC contested the very inaugural Chester Williams Memorial Trophy, named in honour of the late 1995 World Cup-winning Springbok legend and UWC coach.

It was an absolute thriller as the game produced a total of 103 points and 14 tries, with UCT coming away as victors after holding out for a 58-55 victory.

There were good performances from UCT scrumhalf Kyle Bowman, who scored a hat-trick of tries, while centre pair Le Roux Malan and Evardi Boshoff both got on the scoresheet and were at the centre of some incredible attacking play.

Every time it seemed like the Ikey Tigers were pulling away, UWC would find a way to reel them back in. Paul Treu’s team can be proud of the fighting spirit they showed throughout the match. Unsurprisingly, speedster wing Lundi Msenge again displayed his talent with a well-taken brace, while No 8 Tinotenda Mavesere also scored two tries.

Player That Rocks: Evardi Boshoff (UCT Ikeys).

UCT Ikeys – Tries: Devon Arendse, Robert Hunt, Rethabile Louw (1×7), Kyle Bowman (1×7, 2×5), Le Roux Malan, Evardi Boshoff. Conversions: James Tedder (5). Penalties: Tedder (2).
UWC – Tries: Lungi Msenge (3×7), Tinotenda Mavasere, penalty try, André Manuel (1×7). Conversions: Branden de Kock (3). Penalties: De Kock (3).

SHIMLAS 39 (16) FNB UP-TUKS 42 (27)

UP-Tuks fullback Zander du Plessis held his nerve to kick a match-winning penalty goal in the 83rd-minute of their clash with UFS Shimlas.

Du Plessis had missed a penalty from straight in front late in the game, but made no mistake when given the opportunity to make amends in stoppage time.

It gave UP-Tuks a somewhat fortunate win against an FNB UFS Shimlas team that fought back from 20-0 down after 29 minutes to take a 39-32 lead after 64 minutes.

Shimlas centre Danco Burger and lock Pierre Uys both grabbed a double, while regular captain Rewan Kruger also scored in an impressive performance off the bench.

However, UP-Tuks levelled the scores at 39-39 when replacement prop Etienne Janeke went over for his second try of the night and Du Plessis added the conversion.

Shimlas replacement hooker William Moffat was yellow-carded with four minutes to go, but his team continued to attack from inside their half well after the full-time hooter. Unfortunately for them, they conceded a breakdown penalty, for which Du Plessis made them pay.

UP-Tuks had looked set for a comfortable win after taking a 20-point lead, with prop Dewald Donald and centre Louritz van der Schyff crossing for tries, and Du Plessis adding two conversions to his two earlier penalties.

But Burger’s first try – a seven-pointer – was followed by Uys’ first just before half time, and when Burger scored again early in the second half it set up a thrilling battle that would be decided in dramatic fashion.

Player That Rocks: Rewan Kruger (UFS Shimlas).

UFS Shimlas – Tries: Danco Burger (1×7, 1×5), Pierre Uys (1×5, 1×7), Rewan Kruger. Conversions: JP Duvenage (5).
UP-Tuks – Tries: Dewald Donald, Louritz van der Schyff, Eduan Lubbe, Etienne Janeke (2). Conversions: Zander du Plessis (4). Penalties: Du Plessis (3).

2021 FNB Varsity Cup teams (Round 7)

The remaining two matches of round seven – UJ vs Wits and CUT Ixias vs NWU Eagles – will take place on Tuesday, 25 May due to Covid-19 return-to-play protocols.

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Dylan Jack