Shimlas and Pukke seal Varsity Cup final places

FNB UFS-Shimlas will play in their first-ever FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International final after beating defending champions FNB UCT 21-10 in their semi-final in Bloemfontein on Monday March 30.

The win means Shimlas maintain their unbeaten run in the competition and will host Pukke in the Varsity Cup final in two weeks’ time. The defending champions UCT have been eliminated.

Shimlas got their match off to a strong start, forcing UCT to defend from the outset, and the pressure eventually worked when big No.8 Niell Jordaan forced his way over for the first try from close range.

The Ikeys responded by charging into opposition territory, and openside flank Jason Klaasen crashed over from a driving maul to score the try which was confirmed by the TMO, after UFS-Shimlas used their white card.

The Free State side hit back with a driving maul of their own, and flank Daniel Maartens peeled off the back for a try which put them 16-5 up once converted by flyhalf Niel Marais.

Chad Solomon showed good strength to brush off a few defenders for the visitors’ second try, which cut the deficit to 16-10 at halftime with just two conversions separating the teams.

Ikeys had a try disallowed early in the second half due to a forward pass, and despite further opportunities for both teams, neither could find a way through and UFS-Shimlas took their six-point lead into the second strategy break.

The home side struck a major blow when left wing Maphutha Dolo took a well-timed pass from scrumhalf Renier Botha to go over for their third try, which put them in the driving seat with a 21-10 lead.

Things became even tougher for UCT when outside centre Lihleli Xoli was shown a yellow card, and although a late try from UFS-Shimlas wing Vuyani Maqina was disallowed, the home side cruised to victory in the end.

In Pretoria, FNB Pukke clinched a last grasp 29-28 victory over FNB Tuks to seal their spot in the final. Tuks outscored their opponents five tries to four, but Johnny Welthagen, who made headlines for all the wrong reasons in the 2014 final, scored a great individual try with two minutes remaining to put Pukke into their second final in as many years. The boot of Rhyno Smith proved to be the difference between the sides, but as far as semi-finals go, the script could not have been written any better.

In the FNB Varsity Shield, FNB UKZN-Impi booked their place in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield final after a comfortable 42-0 win over FNB UFH-Blues thanks to a hat-trick from centre Marais Louw at the Howard College Rugby Stadium in Durban. They will play FNB Wits, who drew 21-21 against UWC in Bellville.