FNB CUT Ixias’ 2023 Varsity Cup campaign came to a grinding halt as a rampant FNB UCT Ikeys beat them 79-31 at CUT Rugby Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The third straight defeat ended the Ixias’ chances of making the semi-finals, and now they are facing the prospect of having to play in a promotion-relegation match. Ikeys, in turn secured their spot in the top four.

The Ikeys opened the scoring with scrumhalf Asad Moos darting over for an unconverted try in the 11th minute. Some ten minutes later the Ixias finally got on the board with winger Adielson Gouveia going over in the corner for a try that was also unconverted.

Outside centre Josh Boulle and lock Reynhardt Crous each managed to dot down to hand the visitors from the Mother City a 19-5 lead at the halftime break.

After the interval, the Ikeys opened the floodgates in Bloemfontein and they showed no mercy as Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt and Rihaz Fredericks all scored. Lezane Davis and Sibusiso Makhaza each crossed for a brace of tries, while referee Ruhan Meiring also awarded the visitors a penalty try.

Tries by Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie and Sisipho Nofuya for CUT served as nothing more than a consolation and the wind was knocked out of their sails.

FNB CUT Ixias 31 (5)– Tries: Adielson Gouveia, Ulrich Stander, Tiaan Drotskie, Sisipho Nofuya. Conversions: Xavier Swartbooi (3)

FNB UCT Ikeys 79 (19) – Tries: Asad Moos, Josh Boulle, Reynhardt Crous, Enos Ndiao, Jac van der Walt, Rihaz Fredericks, Lezane Davis (2), Sibusiso Makhaza (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Sibusiso Makhaza (6)

FNB Player That Rocks: David Hayes (UCT)

FNB CUT: 15 Vergotine Devanito Lushan, 14 Gouveia Adielson Gouveia, 13 Bester Zac, 12 de Beer Jandré, 11 Malumane Tsepo Siphosethu, 10 Brand Floris J Jacobus, 9 Swartbooi Xavier Alister, 8 Venter Jacobus Daniel, 7 Stander Ulrich Stephan, 6 Cloete Jacobus Johannes, 5 Sekele Matthew M. Maboe, 4 Marubelela Asekho Phindile, 3 Joubert Sarel Jacobs, 2 Drotske Tiaan, 1 Moshoaliba Mamello.

FNB UCT Ikeys: 15 Koevort Duran, 14 Louw Rethabile Donovan, 13 Boulle Joshua Michael, 12 Lamb Kyle Grame, 11 Makhaza Ntokozo Sibusiso, 10 Hayes David Robert, 9 Moos Asad, 8 Delport Laro, 7 Ndiao Kyle Enos, 6 Dyonase Siphumezo, 5 Van der Westhuizen George, 4 Crous Reynhardt Wouter, 3 Le Roux Bryan Justin, 2 Blanckenberg Keagan Jordan, 1 Woji Luthando Solomon.

Source: Varsity Cup

Watch Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Pamela Dube