Ikeys power past CUT, make semis!

On a wonderfully sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein, the Ikeys produced some truly scintillating rugby in their dominant 79-31 win over CUT, a result that saw them end 3rd on the log, thus securing their place in the 2023 Varsity Cup semi-finals.

The men in blue and white will be back in Bloem next Monday for their semi-final against Shimlas, who were themselves rampant against a red-carded Maties side.

The Ixias, who also had a chance of making the semis going into Monday’s match, now face the prospect of having to play in a promotion-relegation match – that is how tight it was in this year’s tournament!

And while the Ikeys opened the scoring via a try by scrumhalf Asad Moos in the 11th minute, this game was far from decided. Ten minutes later it was the Ixias who crossed the whitewash as wing Adielson Gouveia got over for a try in the corner that was also unconverted.

Outside centre Josh Boulle and lock Reynhardt Crous dotted down late in the half to hand the visitors a solid 19-5 lead at the halftime break.

It was after those halftime oranges that the Ikeys really opened up, showing no mercy as they cut CUT to threads! Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt, and Rihaz Fredericks got one each, while Lezane Davis, who was sensational off the bench, and Ntokozo Makhaza both got over for a brace.

Tries by Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie and Sisipho Nofuya for CUT served as nothing more than a consolation as the men from Bloem began to ponder life in the promotion/relegation zone.

Kickoff for the Ikeys semi-final against Shimlas next Monday (the 10th) is 17h00. The other semi-final between Pukke and Maties kicks off at 19h00. Both will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Ixias 31 (5) – Tries: Adielson Gouveia, Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie, Sisipho Nofuya. Conversions: Xavier Swartbooi (3)

Ikeys 79 (19) – Tries: Asad Moos, Josh Boulle, Reynhardt Crous, Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt, Rihaz Fredericks, Lezane Davis (2), Ntokozo Makhaza (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Makhaza (6)

FNB Player That Rocks: David Hayes

Ikeys: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Kyle Lamb, 10 David Hayes, 9 Asad Moos, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Enos Ndiao, 6 Sipho Dyonase, 5 George van der Westhuizen, 4 Reynhardt Crous, 3 Bryan le Roux, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Woji.

Bench: Alex Castle, Seth Christian, Jovan Bekker, Jac van der Walt, Johan van Rhyn, Jason MacLeod Smith, Lezane Davis, Rihaz Fredericks

CUT: 15 Vergotine Devanito Lushan, 14 Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13 Bester Zac, 12 de Beer Jandré, 11 Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10 Brand Floris J Jacobus, 9 Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8 Venter Jacobus Daniel, 7 Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6 Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5 Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4 Marubelela  Asekho Phindile, 3 Joubert Sarel Jacobs, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Moshoaliba Mamello.