A powerhouse performance from the FNB CUT pack of forwards saw them outmuscle FNB UWC 21-38 on Monday evening at the UWC Sport Stadium. The visitors scored three converted tries in the first half en route to securing their second FNB Varsity Cup win for 2019.

This was the Bushies’ final home game in their first-ever FNB Varsity Cup competition. A match which would have most likely been earmarked as the one to win by Chester Williams and his charges turned out to be their fifth consecutive defeat, third at home.

Despite restricting the visitors to a solo try in the opening 15 minutes. Ruan Wasserman powered over the tryline for the opening try, Heinrich Bitzi converting to make it 0-7. The scoreline would have been stretched had it not been for a brave try-saving tackle from Sthsaba Mqhatu when he brought Cohan Jasper down metres from the FNB UWC try line.

The visitors, however, soon added their second try when captain Rayno Nel muscled through two FNB UWC players, Bitzi adding his second conversion, 0-14.

Brilliant running lines from Darren Jaftha allowed for two-time Steers Kinging Moment winner, Tristan Leyds to score the home side’s first try. The conversion was missed leaving the scores at 5-14. Leyds would bag his third Steers Kinging Moment, after the match, for his opening try.

The momentum shifted for the home side when Jaen-Louis de Lange was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Bitzi. The FNB CUT flyhalf landing very badly injuring his neck. De Lange was adjudged to have lifted Bitzi past the horizontal warranting the end of the match for the FNB UWC lock. The men from Bloemfontein added a try converted via hooker Anrich Alberts,

Alberts went over for his second early in the second half, replacement flyhalf converted Marc Morrison converted, making it 5-28, and securing the bonus point for the visitors.

A passage of play ensued that saw FNB UWC dominate with broken play but the lead that the visitors built up proved to be too much. Leyds scored his second, a seven-point try, and Andre Manuel added the final FNB UWC try but it was too little too late. Hardus Nel scored FNB CUT’s fifth try and with Morrison adding a late penalty it took the game away from the home side, 21-38.

FNB Player That Rocks: Rayno Nel (FNB CUT)
Steers Kinging Moment: Tristan Leyds (FNB UWC)

Scores
FNB UWC: 21
Tries: Tristan Leyds, Tristan Leyds (7-point try), Andre Manuel
Cons: Aidynn Cupido (2)
Yellow Card: Labib Kannemeyer
Red Card: Jaen-Louis de Lange

FNB CUT: 38
Tries: Ruan Wasserman, Rayno Nel, Anrich Alberts, Anrich Alberts, Hardus Nel
Cons: Heinrich Bitzi (2), Marc Morrison (3)
Pen: Marc Morrison

Teams
FNB UWC: 15 Tristan Leyds, 14 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 13 Darren Jaftha, 12 Lyle Hendricks, 11 Andre Manuel, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Moegamat Labib Kannemeyer, 8 Adrian Paarwater, 7 Bronlee Mouwries , 6 Joel Paarwater, 5 Curtley Thomas, 4 Jaen-Louis de Lange, 3 Hendrick Calitz, 2 Jacques van Zyl, 1 Alexander Mbete
Replacements: 16 Ralph Jansen, 17 Luvo Bazi, 18 Matthew le Roux, 19 Reece Bocks, 20 Clayton Daniels, 21 Keagan Fortune, 22 Lubelo Scott, 23 Justin Theys

FNB CUT: 15 Cohan Jasper, 14 Dimitrio Tieties, 13 Ruan Wasserman, 12, Marnu van Niekerk, 11 Rasmus Breedt, 10 Heinrich Bitzi, 9 Nikky Hattingh 8 Hardus Nel, 7 Luvuyo Ndevo, 6 Ruan Smit, 5 Rayno Nel (c), 4 Sylvester Makakole, 3 Tebogo Masemola, 2 Anrich Alberts, 1 Edward Davids

Replacements: 16 Ruben Cross, 17 Quintin Vorster, 18 Henco Smit, 19 Brendon Fortuin, 20 Stefan Kruger, 21 Estiaan van Rensburg, 22 Marc Morrison, 23 Jason Raubenheimer

Written by Lyndon Julius

Source: Varsity Cup 

Log Standing

Next Game

The Free State teams will play each other on the CUT Rugby Stadium next Monday, 18 March 2019.

Source: Varsity Cup Fixtures and Logs