FNB CUT Ixias lost their last FNB Varsity Cup match but remains in the top tier of Varsity rugby for 2023, avoiding the dreaded relegation drop to the Varsity Shield for next year.

It was another gutsy performance by the “Blue Brigade of Bloem”, as they pushed the more fancied FNB UCT Tigers for a full 60 minutes on the Green Mile, in Cape Town.

After holding the home side to 5-all at halftime, and 12-17 at the second strategy break, the Tigers took control in the last quarter by scoring three further tries stacking up a convincing lead of 34-17, with just 3 minutes to go.

However, with the clock in the red, CUT’s fiery captain, Luvuyo Ndevu, crashed over the try line to secure Central University of Technology’s fourth try and ensuring a valuable bonus point try for a final score of 34-22 in favour of the UCT Tigers.  

Scorers

Tries: Jan Kotze, Matthew Sekele, Septimus Derkesen and Luvuyo Ndevu.

Conversion: Floris Brand

On the combined VC log of 2021/22, FNB CUT ended 4 points clear of the bottom two teams, FNB UWC and FNB NMU Madibas, who are thus relegated down to the 2023 FNB Varsity Shield again.

Congratulations to our FNB CUT Ixias, securing their place in the premier Top 8 - Varsity Cup 2023 competition.

Written by: Carel Korff

Image credit: VC Media