UFS Shimlas shrugged off a red card to beat UWC in the fourth round of the Varsity Cup, while there were bonus-point wins for Maties and the UCT Ikeys.
UFS Shimlas recorded a third-straight bonus point win after a hard-fought 48-26 win over UWC in Bloemfontein, despite playing with 14 men.
Pierre Uys received a yellow card for a grass-cutter tackle three minutes into the match and the Shimlas captain got his marching orders when a second yellow was upgraded to a red for a high tackle.
This gave winless UWC a sniff, but the hosts managed to remain composed while being a man short.
It took a full 20 minutes for the Shimlas to find their rhythm and once they did, the scrumhalf, Makwande Dlamini flew over for a point-of-origin try, after an initial break by Zane Bester in their 22. Shortly before the break, Fracisco Dos Reis crashed over and then Siviwe Zondani scored straight from the restart for a second seven-pointer for a 25-7 lead at half-time.
The second stanza saw hooker Liyema Mgwigwi scoring while Michiel Genis and Nkoka Ngobe also added their names to the score sheet.
UFS Shimlas 48 (25) – Tries: Makwande Dlamini, Fracisco Dos Reis, Siviwe Zondani, Nkoka Ngobe, Michiel Genies, Liyema Mgwigwi. Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (5).
UWC 26 (7) – Tries: Bryan Breda, Will Vraagom, Romuan Nsombamanya, Ruben Swanepoel. Conversions: Conwill Conradie (3).
Maties overpowered UJ 54-22 in a thrilling encounter at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
Initially, it was closely contested with both sides producing exciting attacking rugby in the first half with the Orange Army enjoying a narrow 22-19 lead over the home side.
The Maroon Machine however comprehensively outscored the visitors from Johannesburg by seven tries to three.
Paschal Ekeji had every single Maties fan inside the Danie Craven on their feet with this try
So good, we’ve got it with English, Afrikaans and isiXhosa commentary to watch three times! pic.twitter.com/v6lJciRRQF
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) March 11, 2024
Maties 54 (19) – Tries: Louw Nel (3), Vernon Matongo, Willem van den Hever, DeWet Marais (2), Paschal Ekeji. Conversions: Juan Mostert (4), C van Heerden-Smith (2).
UJ 22 (22) – Tries: Prince Nkabinde, Likhaya Tengimfene, Mauritz Maritz. Conversions: Rowan Malgas (1). Penalties: Rowan Malgas (1).
UCT Ikeys have made it three out of three at home after cruising past CUT Ixias 44-7 at the Green Mile.
UCT Ikeys 44 (30) – Tries: Ntokoza Makhaza (2), Enos Ndiao, Riaan Genis, Keagan Blanckenberg, Xola Nyali. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (6).
CUT 7 (0) – Tries: Juan Arnold Smith. Conversions: Natanael Young.
Photo: Luigi Bennett / Varsity Cup
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za