Klerksdorp Record, Klerksdorp - A twelve try thriller in Bloemfontein was the highlight of FNB Varsity Cup round 3 where defending champions FNB UFS held on to narrowly beat a surging Orange Army.
In Stellenbosch the FNB Maties demolished FNB CUT at Danie Craven Monday night to top the log standings while on the FNB UCT Ikeys handed the Stripe Generation their first defeat of the season.
FNB NWU Eagles survived a late scare at the Wits Rugby Stadium to claim a 39-34 win over the Witsies. FNB Wits and NWU Eagles entered the game both winless in two attempts, with this game serving as an early do-or-die for both teams.
The game started to an expected start, with both teams going all out in a ping-pong battle. The first 30 minutes saw a low-scoring affair, with Wits scoring two penalties, courtesy of their skipper and flyhalf Setshaba Mokoena.
The Eagles crossed the whitewash twice, with Tsepo Tlaka and Hanro Venter dotting down to make the score 6-12 to the visitors.
However, the Witsies ended the half on a high note after a darting run from their outside back, Liyema Matyolweni, broke the line, with Setshaba Mokoena adding a 7-point cherry on top under the posts. Mokoena then converted his try to give the hosts a 15-12 lead at the break.
The second half saw the script flip, with the NWU Eagles adding a staggering four tries to the Witsies’ two. It was not always smooth sailing for the visitors, who had the wind knocked out of their sails when a brilliant 7-point try by Lindani Dweba caused a late scare.
The conversion attempt that would’ve levelled matters at 36 points apiece went astray. The Eagles then had the last laugh, with a late penalty sealing a 39-34 victory.
