FNB Maties went into this decider determined to channel the energy and aura of the Danie Craven Stadium.
Meanwhile, FNB UP-Tuks spoke about silencing the home crowd in their quest to win a second consecutive title.
While the home fans made their presence felt in the first half, they were more subdued in the second. The decision to award Van der Linde a late try, despite video replays which suggested that a pass in the build-up may have travelled forward, was not well received by the FNB Maties faithful.
By contrast, the FNB UP-Tuks fans at the ground rejoiced. The try, and ultimately the result, ensured that Nico Luus’ side claimed its second consecutive title. The FNB Maties pack dominated the scrums and breakdowns in the first half, while the backs, flyhalf Nevaldo Fleurs, in particular, converted pressure into territory and points.
FNB UP-Tuks struggled to retain possession and were uncharacteristically porous on defence. While they came into this clash with plenty of intent and aggression, they lacked the necessary accuracy and discipline.
The visitors conceded eleven penalties in the first half alone. FNB Maties made the defending champs pay for their mistakes. An unmarked Mike Mavovana claimed a superb cross-kick by Taigh Schoor to score the opening try. Fleurs kicked five penalties to ensure that the hosts went to the break with a 20-10 lead.
The momentum shifted in the second stanza, however, after FNB UP-Tuks delivered a more precise showing of the collisions and set pieces. Kabelo Mokoena scored in the 53rd minute to bring his side back into the contest.
FNB UP-Tuks crossed the line again but were denied after FNB Maties used their white card challenge to identify a knock-on in the build-up.
FNB UP-Tuks continue to apply the pressure. When Mokoena scored his second try in the 70th minute, the visitors were within sight of a dramatic and unlikely victory.
FNB Maties failed to finish a scoring chance at the other end and then allowed the visitors one final opportunity.
Coetzee launched an audacious attack from within his own half and beat several defenders. The fullback managed to offload to Van der Linde, who showed exceptional pace to finish.
FNB Maties used their white card challenge to query the pass by Coetzee to Van der Linde.
TMO Egon Seconds ruled that the pass was not forward and so the decision to award the try was upheld. With this result, FNB UP-Tuks have equalled FNB Maties’ record of five FNB Varsity Cup titles.
Earlier, FNB UP-Tuks beat the FNB NWU Eagles 22-14 in the FNB Young Guns final. It was Tuks’ sixth title in eight editions of the u-20 tournament and avenged their only loss of the group stage to the Eagles in Potchefstroom.
Flyhalf Jean-Pierre Wentzel kicked five penalty goals and converted hooker Ruan van Blommestein’s 19th-minute try, which came from a lineout driving maul.
FNB NWU Eagles flyhalf Alec Vermaak kicked three penalty goals, while left-wing Simuthembile Ntleki scored his side’s only try early in the first half when two Tuks players failed to challenge him for the ball in the air on halfway.
However, Ntleki knocked on with an open try line a few minutes later, which proved costly as Wentzel slotted three penalties to secure the title for Tuks. Tuks tighthead prop Mawande Mdanda was rewarded for a dominant scrum showing with the FNB Player That Rocks award.
