RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - FNB UFS Shimlas dug deep for a well-earned victory at home over defending champions FNB NWU Eagles in round three of the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup.
Wet weather prevailed in the Western Cape where FNB Maties ran out victors over FNB Wits, FNB UCT Ikeys beat FNB UJ and FNB CUT handed FNB UWC their third straight defeat.
FNB UFS Shimlas made it back-to-back wins by beating their big rivals FNB NWU Eagles 35-26 in Bloemfontein. This was thanks to a last-second try by the replacement flanker, Henri van Heerden.
Shimlas took the lead in the 8th minute with the hard-working captain and lock, Pierre Uys, using his power to cross the line for a converted try. The inspirational Kwezi Dlamini doubled the lead for the home team following sustained pressure after a lineout. Flanker Siyambuka Ningiza rounded off a stunning point of origin try, which came from a brilliant cross-field kick by Shimlas flyhalf Ethan Wentzel as they raced to a 21-0 lead. Eagles hooker Chyle van Zyl managed to score for the visitors on the stroke of half-time following a strong lineout maul from a penalty. It took 20 minutes for the points to be scored in the second half and that came via NWU tighthead prop, Ntobeko Shezi. Shimlas struck back minutes later through their winger, Siviwe Zondani. Tries by Mpho Kubheka and Shaun-Christian Baxter saw the Eagles draw level at 26-26, but it was Van Heerden who stole the show with a stunning point-of-origin try to seal the victory for Shimlas.
FNB Maties won a tight affair against FNB Wits 23-12 at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch and it was a good night in difficult conditions for FNB UCT Ikeys when they picked up their second win of the season following a 32-21 victory over FNB UJ at the Green Mile in Cape Town.
