After an undefeated four-match run, the University of the Free State’s (UFS) Shimlas were stopped in their tracks when the Stellenbosch Universities’ (SU) Maties beat them 38 – 29 on Monday, 25 March, in the Varsity Cup game on Shimlapark, Bloemfontein.
The Shimlas were the first on the board thanks to fullback Michael Annies who scored a point-of-origin try. This try started from a scrum five metres from the Shimlas’ line that saw Zane Bester make the break after collecting a chip-kick and, ultimately, Annies who rounded off a stunning team try.
Dewet Marais got the Maties squad on the board with his first try, before Shimlas captain Pierre Uys struck back from a clever lineout variation. Shortly before half-time, Marais completed his brace which saw the visitors trailing 19 – 12.
Marais completed his hat-trick early in the second half to get the scoreboard ticking. The home team managed to strike back through Neels Volschenk. But tries by Hofmeyr Retief, Eric Basson, and Louw Nel put the game out of reach for the Shimlas.
On the stroke after full-time, Jandré Nel scored for the Shimlas to see them earn at least a point in the game.
The Shimlas lost two games and won four, placing them fourth on the log before their game on Monday, 8 April, against the University of Witwatersrand (Wits).
The other Bloemfontein team, the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State’s Ixias, also lost their game against the North-West University (NWU) Eagles on home turf.
The hosts took the lead early on and extended it twice through the boot of fly-half Juan Smith, before Eagles centre Arnold Volk charged down an attempted clearance from Smith and dotted down for the first try of the match.
Shortly after their opener, the visitors had to wave goodbye to Miyelani Ngobeni after he was shown a red card following poor judgement in a tackle.
Being a man short did not stop the Eagles as they raised their game, scoring four more tries, all converted by Zinedine Robinson. The half-time score was 37 – 12 in favour of the defending champions.
The second half began exactly as the first half ended, with an Eagles try. The game looked like it was decided, but a try from the CUT prop, Mamello Moshoaliba, breathed life into the home side.
Smith’s perfect kicking continued to keep the home side within reach of a win.
The defending champions, however, showed why they hold the trophy. With continued strength in defence, they kept the game in their favour despite being a man short for three-quarters of the contest.
The final ten minutes turned the game entirely on its head, as the Ixias scored three unanswered and converted point-of-origin tries.
Unfortunately, it was too little, too late as the visiting Potchefstroom team took home maximum points; the Eagles won 53-46.
The next Ixias game will be on 8 April against Maties in Bloemfontein.
