Defending champions NWU Eagles survived a late onslaught by CUT Ixias to reclaim first place in the Varsity Cup, while UCT, Maties and Shimlas all secured semi-final places.

It was a game of two halves in Bloemfontein that in the end saw NWU Eagles edge out CUT Ixias 53-46.

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Shortly after their opener, the visitors had to wave goodbye to Miyelani Ngobeni after he was shown a red card following poor judgement in a tackle.

Being a man short did not stop the Eagles as they raised their game, scoring four more tries, all converted by Zinedine Robinson. The half-time score was 37-12 in favour of the defending champions.

The final ten minutes turned the game entirely on its head, as the Ixias scored three unanswered and converted point-of-origin tries.

NWU Eagles 53 (37) – Tries: Arnold Vlok, Matome Manyama, Naiden Jaarts, Luan van der Walt, Tian van Zyl (2), Calvin Clack. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (7).
CUT Ixias 46 (12) – Tries: Mamello Moshoaliba, Zac Bester, Adielson Gouveia, Jan-Hendrik Bessenger. Conversions: Juan Smith (4). Penalties: Juan Smith (3). 

Five-time champions Maties broke UFS Shimlas’ four-match unbeaten run with a 38-29 win at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.

The Maroon Machine was simply better in the basics, and this resulted in a comfortable bonus point win. It was rather ironic that it was one of the Maties’ ‘Bloem boys’ Dewet Marais who scored a hat-trick of tries.

On the stroke after full time, Jandré Nel scored for the Shimlas to see them earn at least a point in the game.

Maties 38 (12) – Tries: Dewet Marais (3), Hofmeyr Retief, Eric Basson, Jacobus Nel, Conversions: Juan Mostert (4).
UFS Shimlas 29 (19) – Tries: Michael Annies, Pierre Uys, Neels Volschenk, Jandre Nel. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (2). Penalties: Ethan Wentzel. 

The Chester Williams Memorial Trophy will remain with UCT Ikeys for another year after they beat UWC 91-9 at the UWC Sports Stadium.

In perfect conditions for some entertaining rugby, Ikeys brought the heat to Bellville running in 13 tries to one when they thoroughly outplayed Udubs in their backyard.

UCT Ikeys 91 (33) – Tries: Joshua Miller, Luke Burger (4), Keagan Blanckenberg (2), Mika Schubbert (2), Joshua Miller, Ntokozo Makhaza, Tian Vorster, Alexander Vermeulen. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (5), Alexander Vermeulen (3).
UWC 9 (0) – Try: Hlomla Ncana. Conversion: Aaron Swartz. 

Photo: Asem Engage – Hannes Naude

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