FNB Wits winger Azi Afrika’s 75th-minute converted try and a late penalty from fly half Chris Humphries gave the local Johannesburg team a thrilling 20-18 win against the FNB CUT Ixias on February 21 at Wits home ground.
The visitors were reduced to 14 men for 20 minutes when flank Jan Kotze received a fourth-minute red card, but could still lead 13-10 at the break. They extended that to eight points when lock Kevin Strydom scored early in the second half but FNB Wits would finish the match with a flourish.
In Cape Town, the FNB UCT Ikeys claimed a comeback win for the second successive week when they overturned a 24-5 half-time deficit to beat FNB UJ 26-24.
Hooker Alex Castle scored two tries for the hosts, with No 8 Jason MacLeod Smith’s 75th-minute bonus-point try from a lineout driving maul converted by fullback Duran Koevort.
FNB UJ fly half Jonathan Viljoen had a chance to snatch victory in the last minute but his 45m attempt missed the mark. Hooker Hloni Mphuthi scored two tries for the visitors.
In Gqeberha, flank Dian Schoonees crossed the line twice as FNB UP-Tuks recorded a 22-6 win against the FNB Madibaz. The visitors led 10-0 at half-time, with fly half Chadwyn November scoring FNB Madibaz’s only points early in the second half.
FNB UFS Shimlas produced an attacking masterclass to thrash FNB Maties 50-28 in Bloemfontein and end a seven-game drought against the Cape-based side.
FNB Varsity Cup Round 3 fixtures (February 28):
FNB CUT Ixias vs FNB UFS Shimlas (17:00, CUT Rugby Stadium)
FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB UCT Ikeys (19:00, Tuks Stadium)
FNB Maties vs FNB Wits (19:00, Danie Craven Stadium)
FNB UJ vs FNB NWU Eagles (19:00, UJ Stadium).
