The 2024 FNB Varsity Cup will be decided at Shimla Park Bloemfontein on Monday 22 April (kick-off at 19h00), where the UFS Shimlas will host the UCT Ikey Tigers.
This after the men in Blue and White produced a sensational performance to beat defending champions, NWU, in their semi-final in Potch, and Shimlas out-classed Maties on their home patch.
Come the final whistle, it was actually a convincing and classy 32-18 win for the Ikeys against an Eagles side that just did not have enough in the attacking armoury to subdue a defensive system that is without doubt the best in the comp.
Ikeys began the game in a dominant fashion with left wing Ntokozo Makhaza landing a penalty in the first five minutes. A drop goal by the Eagles’ Zinedine Robinson evened things up, before Makhaza slotted a second penalty to restore the lead for the visitors.
Tian Van Zyl scored the first try of the game to give the Eagles the lead for the first time in the game. Fullback Duran Koevort then responded for the Ikeys with a try, before another Makhaza penalty handed UCT a 14-8 lead at half-time.
This penalty took Makhaza’s points haul in the Varsity Cup to over 250, making him the all-time highest points scorer in the tournament. The man has been beyond impressive for the Ikey Tigers, and it has to be a matter of time before he is snapped up by a pro team.
The visitors began the second period in the same manner with Koevort’s second try – rounding off a sweeping passage of play started by a superb interception by Rethabile Louw – and yet another penalty by Makhaza.
Mpho Kubheka reduced the deficit via a try for NWU moments after coming on, and it looked like the momentum might just be swinging the way of the hosts …
But another brilliant run by Louw saw him getting the ball to replacement lock/flank Mika Schubert, who scored in the corner for Ikeys.
Calvin Clark scored a try in the dying minutes of the game for the Eagles but it was too late as yet another penalty by Makhaza sealed an emphatic victory for UCT.
In the curtain raiser, it was the home side who edged an incredibly plucky UCT U20 Cubs side 27-25 to go through to the Young Guns final next week.
SCORERS:
UCT Ikeys 32 (14) – Tries: Duran Koevort (2), Mika Schubert. Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza (5).
NWU Eagles 18 (8) – Tries: Tian van Zyl, Mpho Kubheka, Calvin Clack. Drop Goal: Zinedine Robinson.
FNB Player that Rocks: Reynhardt Crous
TEAMS:
FNB UCT Ikeys: Luthando Woji, Keagan Blanckenberg, JK Okonkwo, Reynhardt Crous, Johan Van Rhyn, Sipho Dyonase, Taariq Kruger, Laro Delport, Asad Moos, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Jonathan Roche, Josh Boulle, Rethabile Louw, Duran Koevort.
FNB NWU Eagles: Matome Molebogeng Manyama, Chyle Van Zyl, Ntobeko Thabiso Shezi, Stephan Krugel, Franco Marais, Hennie Du Randt, Tian Van Zyl, Marvelous Mashimbyi, Aphelele Emihle Madaka, Zinedine Robinson, Naiden Jaarts, Arnoldus Christiaan Vlok, Matthew Luke Fortuin, Joubert Schoeman, Luan Jacobus Van Der Walt.
