Joburg universities win first-round encounters at Varsity Cup

FNB Wits got their 2022 campaign off to a flying start when they put five tries past the FNB Madibaz at Wits Rugby Stadium on February 14, winning 31-20.

The highly anticipated contest played out in an electrifying atmosphere. A limited number of spectators were presented with the opportunity to back their boytjies for the first time in two years and they certainly made that chance count.

The underdogs from Gqeberha competed well in the initial stages and led 6-5 after 23 minutes, thanks to two Chadwyn November penalties.

The complexion of the game changed, however, after Warwick Griffin was shown a yellow card in the 31st minute.
FNB Wits scored two tries while the FNB Madibaz tighthead was in the sin bin. By half-time, they had amassed a 19-6 lead.

Restored to 15 men, the visitors fought back in the early stages of the second half. They failed to maintain that effort, however, as the contest moved into the final quarter.

Wits reasserted their dominance, scoring two quick tries to secure the victory as well as the bonus point for four tries or more.

Near neighbours, UJ, just managed a two-point win against FNB CUT Ixias 44-42 in their first encounter on home soil.

The visitors led 27-7 after 33 minutes only to find themselves trailing 42-38 with 11 minutes remaining.

However, FNB UJ hit back when flank CJ Masuku went over for their sixth try, which flyhalf Jonathan Viljoen converted. While FNB CUT pushed hard for a match-winning try, they had to be satisfied with two bonus points.

The Orange Army started the match well when flank Johannes Terblanche scored two early tries from mauls to make it 13-0 after 16 minutes.

But some harsh words from coach Braam van Straaten during the first strategy break lit a fire under his players and set up a thrilling second half.

In Pretoria, FNB UP-Tuks went down at the hands of FNB Maties 19-9 at Tuks Stadium. Replacement hooker Sean Swart scored a 70th-minute try for FNB Maties.

Maties dominated possession and territory but weren’t able to take their try-scoring chances in the first half.
They relied on captain Adriaan van der Bank to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with opposite number Jandré Burger also kicking three penalties to make it 9-9.

The visitors’ bold decision to kick a late penalty to touch instead of at goal paid off as they won the lineout and rumbled over the try line with Swart the man to dot down.

Replacement Jurie Mathee kicked the conversion and added an 80th-minute penalty to seal the win.

FNB UCT fought back from a 12-point deficit to claim a bonus-point win against FNB NWU at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds of 35-26.

FNB UFS Shimlas showed their attacking teeth when they ran in eight tries against FNB UWC in Bellville for a 35-16 win.

FNB Varsity Cup Round 2 fixtures (February 21):

• FNB UCT Ikeys vs FNB UJ (17:00, UCT Rugby Fields)

• FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB Maties (19:00, Shimla Park,)

• FNB Madibaz vs FNB UP Tuks (19:00, Madibaz Stadium)

• NWU Eagles vs FNB UWC (19:00, Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds)

• FNB Wits vs FNB CUT Ixias (19:00, Wits Rugby Stadium).