The FNB Varsity Cup semi-final lineup has been confirmed with FNB UFS Shimlas set to host FNB UP-Tuks and the FNB UCT Ikeys pitted against rivals FNB Maties at the Green Mile.
Shimlas thrashed the FNB Madibaz on Monday to finish the league stage at the top of the FNB Varsity Cup standings.
Meanwhile, the Ikey Tigers secured a home semi-final after downing the FNB CUT Ixias.
FNB Maties rebounded after a poor start to edge FNB UWC and finish third on the log.
Paul Treu’s side and the FNB Madibaz finished ninth and tenth respectively on the combined 2021/22 log and will be relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield as a result.
FNB UP-Tuks secured the fourth playoff berth after claiming a bonus-point win against FNB UJ.
While the FNB NWU Eagles picked up five log points from their fixture against FNB Wits, they finished one behind FNB UP-Tuks in the final standings.
The first match of the day was fiercely contested by two desperate teams. FNB UP-Tuks produced a more clinical display to secure a 36-19 bonus-point win against FNB UJ.
The defending champions adopted a pragmatic approach in the first half and took the points when they were on offer. By contrast, FNB UJ turned down several kickable penalties in search of four tries and ultimately a valuable bonus point.
FNB UJ harnessed the power of their scrum in the second stanza. After building some momentum through the phases, hooker Darnell Osuagwu crashed over for his second try of the match.
The visitors finished strongly, though, to claim the four-try bonus point and a place in the semi-finals.
The result of the match at the University of Johannesburg all but dashed the FNB NWU Eagles’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. Andre Pretorius’ men beat FNB Wits 31-3, but that performance and result was to no avail.
The hosts made good use of their massive pack in wet and challenging conditions. Captain Sampie Swiegers led the charge at the scrums and with ball in hand scored two tries in the first half.
The Eagles continued to apply the pressure in the second stanza and finished the game with a tally of five tries. While they did enough to claim the bonus point and to win by a substantial margin, they fell agonisingly short of playoff qualification.
In Stellenbosch, FNB UWC gave FNB Maties a big fright before going down 40-31. Udubs made an impressive start to the match, with converted tries by flank Godfrey Muzanargwo and lock Jaen-Louis de Lange putting them 14-0 ahead after 13 minutes.
In Cape Town, the FNB UCT Ikeys secured a home semi-final with a hard-fought 34-22 win against the FNB CUT Ixias.
In Gqeberha, FNB UFS Shimlas secured top spot on the log with a 72-24 thrashing of the FNB Madibaz.
FNB Varsity Cup semi-finals (18 April):
FNB UCT Ikeys vs FNB Maties (17:00, UCT Rugby Fields)
FNB UFS Shimlas vs FNB UP-Tuks (19:15, Shimla Park)
