UFS Shimlas safely navigated their way past city neighbours CUT, while Maties thrashed struggling UWC and Wits came from behind to share the spoils with UCT Ikeys in round five of the Varsity Cup.

Defending champions NWU Eagles and UJ will return to the UJ Stadium on Tuesday 19 March after their match was called off because of inclement weather.

UFS Shimlas claimed the bragging rights and a fourth straight bonus point win with a 59-40 victory over CUT Ixias in Bloemfontein. 

In a game of two halves, it was one-way traffic in the first stanza at a packed CUT Rugby Stadium as the Shimlas taught their neighbours a lesson in running rugby. The super-impressive Shimlas outside centre, Zane Bester, led the charge for the visitors by scoring a brace of point-of-origin tries in the first forty-minute period. 

On the stroke of half-time, the Ixias finally managed to get on the board when the tighthead prop, Sisipho Nofuya, powered over for a converted try to see his team trailing 7-43 at the interval. 

In the second 40-minute period the flow of the traffic went the other way and the Ixias showcased their renowned fighting spirit with Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia (point-of-origin), Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela and Tiaan Naudé scoring to give themselves a sniff. But, tries by Shimlas flyhalf Ethan Wentzel and captain Neels Volschenk put it out of reach for the valiant Ixias. 

UFS Shimlas 59 (43) – Tries: Jandré Nel, Zane Bester (2), Penalty try, Siviwe Zondani, Ethan Wentzel, Neels Volschenk. Conversions: Wentzel (6).
CUT 40 (7) – Tries: Sisipho Nofuya, Janco Cloete, Adielson Gouveia, Juan Smith, Asekho Marubelela, Tiaan Naudé. Conversions: Juan Smith (3). 

Five-time Varsity Cup champions Maties outgunned bottom-of-the-log UWC 63-14 in their Cape derby in Bellville.

The men from Stellenbosch built a solid base to take a 19-7 lead into half time.

Maties 63 (19) – Tries: Vernon Matongo (2), DeWet Marais, Juan Mostert, Christiaan van Heerden-Smith, Louw Nel, Ryan Manuel, Edrich Viljoen, DeWet Marais. Conversions: Juan Mostert (6).
UWC 14 (7) – Tries: Aaron Swartz, Wian van der Sandt. Conversion: Conwill Conradie. 

Wits fought back to hold a determined UCT Ikeys to a 33-33 stalemate at the Wits Stadium.

It took a last-minute try and conversion for the Witsies to avoid defeat against a team they enjoyed the better of in the territory and possession battle.

The half-time score was 28-10 in favour of the Ikeys.

Wits 33 (10) – Tries: Wernich Aucamp, Setshaba Mokoena, George Devenish, Ronan Dutton. Conversions:  Tireque Apolles (4). Penalties: Tireque Apolles.
UCT 33 (28) – Tries: Riaan Genis (2), Duran Koevort, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Conversions: Ntokoza Makhaza (2). Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza. 

Photo: @varsitycup/Twitter

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