Maties heading to Potch for a semi-final encounter

In a display of what can only be seen as capitalising on opposition errors, FNB UFS Shimlas got the better of FNB Maties outscoring them 12-44 in their final FNB Varsity Cup round-robin match in Stellenbosch on Monday, 3 April. 

 Maties were not only kept scoreless in the second 40, but they conceded 26 points in the second stanza. 

 These two teams have already secured a semi-final spot, however, the honour of hosting a semi-final was at stake. Shimlas will host FNB UCT Ikeys in Bloemfontein while Maties travel to Potchefstroom to battle things out with the FNB NWU Eagles in next week’s semi-final matchups. 

 Both sides were clinical in the opening quarter of the match, but it was the Shimlas who utilised their opportunities to better effect despite making nearly twice the number of errors than Maties.  

 The home side, did, however, concede 40 percent more turnovers in the opening half than the team from Bloemfontein a significant stat given that Shimlas headed into half-time with a six-point lead, 12-18. 

 Tries for Maties were scored via Marcqiewn Titus and Waqar Solaan in the first half. Both Titus and Solaan were rewarded for their excellent support play and spatial awareness. Jurie Matthee succeeded with one of the conversion attempts.  

 Shimlas’ two first-half tries scored by Jandre Nel and captain Thabang Mahlasi were both point-of-origin (POR) tries meaning with the conversions sailing through the uprights, they scored nearly 20 points from just two scoring opportunities. 

 Two second-half five-point tries from Lourens Oosthuizen along with a POR try from speedster Siviwe Zondani meant Shimlas headed into the final 10 minutes of the match with a commanding 12-37 lead. 

 Replacement scrumhalf Chadd Adams added insult to injury for the home side, a quick throw-in to Adams saw him cross the Maties’ try line for Shimlas’ sixth try. 

 FNB Player That Rocks: Lourens Oosthuizen (FNB UFS Shimlas) 

 Scorers: 

For Maties: 12 

Tries: Marcqiewn Titus, Waqar Solaan 

Con: Jurie Matthee 

Yellow Card: Siyabonga Matanda 

Red Card: Siyabonga Matanda 

 For UFS Shimlas 44 

Tries:  Jandre Nel (POR try), Thabang Mahlasi (POR try) Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Siviwe Zondani (POR try), Chadd Adams 

Cons: Litha Nkula, Ethan Wentzel (3)