Maties make statement of intent

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Maties began the defence of their Varsity Cup title by handing Shimlas a 67-16 thrashing in Stellenbosch on Monday. DYLAN JACK reports.

An electric atmosphere at the Danie Craven Stadium was matched by the attacking and defensive intensity of the home side.

The two-time defending champions may have lost head coach Hawies Fourie and Varsity Cup veterans in Edwill van der Merwe and Duncan Saal during the off-season, but seemingly no momentum as they began their season with a massive statement of intent.

The game was virtually decided by half time as Maties ran in five tries in the opening 40 minutes with Shimlas struggling to contain the home side.

If there was something for the visitors to take out of the game, it’s that they managed to force Maties into errors in the second half, and grabbed tries through centre JP Duvenage and scrumhalf Rewan Kruger.

It was very much the experienced players who stood up for Maties, with fullback Adriaan van der Bank, wing Munier Hartzenberg and the halfback pair of Reinhardt Fortuin and Remu Malan all enjoying standout performances.

Malan, in particular, put in a very good shift at scrumhalf, setting up a couple of tries, while grabbing one himself in the second half.

The scoreline does make it difficult to judge the strengths and weaknesses of each team, with Maties dominating pretty much every facet of the game. The Stellenbosch side will certainly face tougher tests following their bye next Monday.

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Maties – Tries: Ben-Jason Dixon, Munier Hartzenberg, David Brits (2), Mike Mavovana, HJ Luus, Remu Malan, Schalk Erasmus, Marcel Theunissen. Conversions: Adriaan van der Bank (5), Reinhardt Fortuin (3).
Shimlas – Try: JP Duvenage, Rewan Kruger. Conversion: Duvenage (2).

Maties – 15 Adriaan van der Bank, 14 Munier Hartzenberg, 13 David Brits, 12 Waqar Solaan, 11 Mike Mavovana, 10 Reinhardt Fortuin, 9 Remu Malan, 8 Marcel Theunissen, 7 Adriaan Bester, 6 Geor Malan, 5 BJ Dixon (c), 4 Gerrit Huisamen, 3 Leon Lyons, 2 HJ Luus, 1 Dian Bleuler.
Subs: 16 Schalk Erasmus, 17 Ricky Nwagbara, 18 Christian Hamman, 19 Willem Liebenberg, 20 Gift Dlamini, 21 Luciano Elias, 22 Anton du Toit, 23 Lynn-Jay Hendricks.

Shimlas –15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Francois Agenbag, 13 JP Duvenage, 12 William Eybers (c), 11 Charl Pretorius, 10 Tiaan Schutte, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Albertus du Bod, 7 Mihlali Peter, 6 Janco Cloete, 5 Keanan Murray, 4 Sibabalo Qoma, 3 Gerrit Visser, 2 Hanno Snyman, 1 Bhekinkosi Qaba.
Subs: 16 Wihan Marais, 17 Danie Wessels, 18 Jan Meades, 19 Rholane Ncubuka, 20 Kamohelo Chabana, 21 Chadd Adams, 22 Keegan Haman, 23 Siyanda Cele.

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Dylan Jack