FNB Maties beat FNB Ikeys (University of Cape Town) 33 – 14 on Monday night at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch to consolidate their position at the top of the Varsity Cup table.
The 17 200 supporters that attended the game witnessed a dominant performance from the Maties. It only took them only two minutes to score their first try as Maties winger, Duncan Saal, got his team off to a flying start.
The Maties played in front of 17,200 supporters at the Danie Craven Stadium. PHOTO: Teboho Mokonyana.
Saal was denied another try 15 minutes later on into the game as the ball was knocked on before it got to him. He was unfortunately forced to the bench later on in the half, after sustaining a hamstring injury.
The Maties further asserted their dominance during the 18th minute after a penalty try, due to a faulty scrum by the Ikeys. Less than 10 minutes later, scrum half, Brandon Nell scored a try to extend the lead to 21-0.
Maties exploited the poor performance from the Ikeys to extend their lead to 26-0 by half time after a try from outside centre Stephan Streicher on the halftime buzzer.
Soon after the break, No 4 lock Jaco Venter scored a try for Maties and fly half Chris Smith converted it to push the lead to 31 – 0.
From the 50th minute onwards, the Ikeys tested the Maties’ defense after putting in a more concerted effort to break their opponents down. Their efforts paid off after Ikeys hooker, Cuan Hablutzel, was finally able to capitalise on the Ikeys momentum to score a try.
From the 50th minute onwards the Ikeys pressed hard to break down the Maties’ defense. PHOTO: Teboho Mokonyana.
This try motivated the Ikeys to press harder, as they wanted to keep up the pressure on their opponents. Ikeys replacement scrum half, Stefano De Gouveia scored a try in the 66th minute, which was converted to bridge the gap to a more respectable scoreline of 33 – 14.
That is how the match would end as Maties got back to winning ways and earned the Derby’s bragging rights.
The player of the match award was presented to Maties’ Neethling Fouche.
Teams
FNB Maties: 15 Reinardt Fortuin, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Chris Smit, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Christopher Smith, 9 Brandon Nell 8 Stephan Streicher, 7 Chris Massyn, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Johan Momsen, 4 Janco Venter, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Chippie Oelofse (captain)
Replacements: 16 Hendrik Luus, 17 Ricky Mwagbara, 18 Piet Strauss, 19 Brandon Valentyn, 20 Marno Redelinghuys, 21 Logan Boonzaaier, 22 Cornel Smit, 23 Munier Hartzenberg
FNB Ikeys: 15 Khanyo Ngcukana, 14 Karl Martin, 13 Liam Furniss, 12 Robbie Ball, 11 Joel Smith, 10 Darian Hock, 9 Pieter Schoonraad, 8 Nyasha Tarusenga, 7 Josh Moon (captain), 6 Kuyenzeka Xaba, 5 Duncan Saffy, 4 David Meihuizen, 3 Simon Raw, 2 Cuan Hablutzel, 1 Wayrin Losper
Replacements: 16 Josh Van Vuuren, 17 Ashwin Adams, 18 Stanley Modjadi, 19 Gary Porter, 20 Kwezi Puza, 21 Stefano de Gouveia, 22 Lohan Lubbe, 23 Suwilanji Chibale