Andre-Hugo Venter scored four tries as Maties bounced back with a 43-21 victory over a heavily rotated UWC in the Varsity Cup on Thursday.
Gameflow: Maties dominated most of match and made their possession count with seven tries, most coming through some good work from their forwards. After the Stellenbosch side had opened up a 43-5 lead, UWC were able to hit back with three tries in the final 10 minutes. The win had Maties bouncing back from Monday’s historic loss to UCT. Meanwhile, UWC will have their eyes set on Sunday’s encounter with NMU Madibaz.
Four-score hero: Making his first Varsity Cup start, Andre-Hugo Venter certainly made the most of his opportunity as he scored four tries, completing his hat-trick in the first half. The 19-year-old is the son of former Springbok flank Andre Venter and one of several Maties players with Western Province contracts.
Late surge: UWC named a heavily changed side from Monday’s draw with Shimlas, as six players made their Varsity Cup debuts. While they struggled to cope with Maties’ pack – which included the likes of Stormers players BJ Dixon and Leon Lyons – UWC still deserve credit for fighting back late on, even with the result decided. That should give Paul Treu’s side some confidence going into a crucial clash with the Madibaz, who are also looking to prove they belong in the Cup.
Maties – 15 Nevaldo Fleurs, 14 Sibabalwe Xamlashe, 13 David Brits (c), 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Munier Hartzenberg, 10 Christopher Schreuder, 9 Lian du Toit, 8 Ben-Jason Dixon, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Siyabonga Matanda, 5 Matthew Gray, 4 Dylan de Leeuw, 3 Duncan du Buisson, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Leon Lyons.
Subs: 16 Sean Swart, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Matimu Manganyi, 19 Matthys Kitshoff, 20 Mitchell Carstens, 21 Abande Mthembu, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Adriaan van der Bank.
UWC – 15 Ethan Diston, 14 Tasriq Mynhardt, 13 Andre Manuel, 12 Hendrik Carstens, 11 Patrick Kotze, 10 Johannes van Biljon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 8 Bradman Grove, 7 Jacques Mostert, 6 Mauritz Swart, 5 Reece Bocks, 4 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 3 Riaan van der Merwe, 2 Jason Alexander (c), 1 Ebrahiem Davids.
Subs: 16 Jacques Myburgh van Zyl, 17 Luvo Bazi, 18 Tinotenda Mavesere, 19 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 20 Lundi Msenge, 21 Romuald Nsombamanya, 22 Branden de Kock, 23 Justin Theys.
Photo: Varsity Sports
