Maties first-ever Varsity Cup Women’s champions, UWC claim third Varsity Shield title
Maties beat UJ 63-9 in the women's final while UWC claimed a third Varsity Shield crown after beating neighbours CPUT 24-18.
A rampant FNB Maties outscored FNB UJ 63-9 to claim a victory in the inaugural FNB Varsity Cup Women’s final in Cape Town.
The Orange Army could not match the sheer power and skilful flair of the Maroon Machine. A clinical display of spatial awareness and capitalising on opposition errors ensured that Maties remained in a commanding position to convert pressure and territory into points.
The team from Stellenbosch ran in seven tries, including three point-of-origin tries, all in the first half. Maties headed into the halftime break with the game at 53-0.
Tries for Maties included a brace from Ropah Madyah, Danelle van Zyl and Amber Meiring, with one try each for Janke Oosthuizen, Ankia Viljoen and the captain Bianca Augustyn.
UJ got a second-half consolation try courtesy of Precious Maduchem.
In the end, Maties did enough in the opening half to claim the first-ever Varsity Cup Women’s title, a historical moment for both Varsity Cup and women’s sports in South Africa.
Intense Cape derby
FNB UWC was the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield champions for a third time when they held off FNB CPUT for a 24-18 victory in front of a packed UWC Sports Stadium in Bellville, Cape Town.
In a tense Cape derby, the home side, being the only unbeaten side in the competition this year, was pushed to their limits.
UWC, whose resilient and disciplined defensive efforts were standouts throughout the 2023 season, showed no signs of letting up despite a courageous effort from the CPUT side.
Not many sides can claim they crossed the UWC try line more than once. Not only did CPUT cross the UWC try line twice, but they got within touching distance of claiming a historic victory.
In the front, both packs of forwards were having a full go at each other. In the opening 20 minutes, a solo converted try separated the two teams. UWC’s set pieces were clinical and they secured a solid platform to launch their potent attacks, but they met it with an equally disciplined CPUT defensive effort.
In the end, UWC won the match 24-18, claiming their third title.
FNB UWC 24 (7) – tries Mauritz Swart (2), Riaan van der Merwe, conversions: Conwill Conradie (3) and penalties: Conradie.
FNB CPUT 18 (5) – tries Iwaan Bloys, Darren Alexander, conversion: Ryan George and penalties: Linton Maritz, George.
The award of the FNB Player That Rocks went to Darren Alexander (CPUT).
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