The NWU-Pukke defeated Wits 36-3 in Johannesburg. Photo: Twitter.
The teams that have advanced to the semi-final round of the Varsity Cup have been confirmed. The Shimlas will face the Ikeys in Bloemfontein, while the NWU-Puk will cross swords with Maties in Potchefstroom.
It is indeed nothing for Tuks
Tukkies, the defending Varsity Cup champion team, could not manage to win a single game in the popular student rugby tournament this year.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) won their duel 38 – 31 to ensure that the Pretorianians lost seven games in a row.
Tukkies were already relegated to the Varsity Shield competition last week.
UJ: Tries: Prince Nkabinde (2), Nkondlokamthimkhulu Radebe, Kelvin Kanenungo and Rowan Malgas. Goals: Malgas (4). Penalty kick: Jonathan Viljoen.
Tukkies: Tries: André van der Merwe, Dian Schoonees, Hilton Gie and Ambesa Zenzile. Goals: Rowan Cloete, Chad-Lee Valentine and Clyde Lewis. Penalty kick: Cloete.
????UJ beat defending champs Tuks to escape the relegation red zone.
????Tuks end the season without a win and are relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield. pic.twitter.com/RME2ijkyFU
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 3, 2023
Shimlas overwhelms Maties in Stellenbosch
The Shimlas’ convincing victory of 44 – 12 against Maties secured a home semi-final for the Bloemfonteiners. It was also their first Varsity Cup triumph in Stellenbosch.
Although Maties have now lost the bottom spot, they did just enough in the group phase to qualify for the knockout round.
Shimlas: Tries: Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Jandré Nel, Thabang Mahlasi, Siviwe Zondani and Chadd Adams. Goal kicks: Ethan Wentzel (3) and Litha Nkula.
Maties: Tries: Marcqiewn Titus and Waqar Solaan. Goal kick: Jurie Mathee.
FULL TIME and the @UFSweb Shimlas have come to the DC in Stellenbosch and decisively beaten @MatiesSport to finish 2nd on the log and claim a home semi-final!
FNB Maties 12 – 44 FNB UFS#RugbyThatRocks proudly brought to you by @FNBSA, @SteersSA and @Suzuki_ZA pic.twitter.com/ZoP8IWJ7zU
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 3, 2023
Ikeys too strong for Ixias in Bloemfontein
Ikeys scored 11 tries in Bloemfontein to overwhelm the Ixias 79 – 31. The Capetians thus secured their place among the top four teams in the standings.
Lezane Davis and Sibusiso Makhaza each scored two tries for the visitors.
Ikeys: Sibusiso Makhaza (2), Lezane Davis (2), Asad Moos, Josh Boulle, Reynhardt Crous, Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt and Rihaz Fredericks. Goals: Makhaza (6).
Ixias: Tries: Adielson Gouveia, Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie and Sisipho Nofuya. Goal kicks: Xavier Swartbooi (3).
Pukke fly high against Wits
Bad weather conditions and lightning did not throw the NWU-Puk off course in its match against Wits in Johannesburg.
The visitors won the showdown with 36 – 3 and they are definitely swinging the scepter on the leaderboard.
NWU-Puk: Ruan Swiegers, Calvin Clack, Tino Swanepoel and Matthew Fortuin. Goals: Martin Venter (3). Penalty kick: Venter.
Wits: Penalty: Gerswin Mouton.
- Terms for Monday, April 10:
5pm: Shimlas vs Ikeys
19:00: NWU-Puk against Maties
- NWU-Puk: 31 points
- Shimlas: 25 points
- Ikeys: 22 points
- Maths: 21 points
- UJ: 19 points
- Whites: 18 points
- Ixias: 18 points
- Tukkies: 17 points
