Update on the article: CUT Ixias receives good news on the match result

FNB CUT Ixias narrowly lost their first 2022 FNB Varsity clash against visiting FNB UJ in Bloemfontein by 44-42, in round one of this year’s competition. However, they received good news from the competition organisers barely twelve hours after the match.

Mr Nesi Xhanti-Lomsi of FNB Varsity Cup, confirmed via e-mail that a review of one of CUT’s five tries on Monday evening was a “point of origin”-try (POR), worth 7 points instead of the usual 5 points.

The try, scored by eighth man, Ulrich Stander, in the 35^th minute of the first half, was converted by flyhalf, Floris Brand. The decision to change this “normal” try to a POR, means that the final score in this crucial first match of the season changes to a draw of 44 - all. Thus, as CUT and UJ both scored more than three tries in the match, each team will be awarded 2 points for the draw, plus one bonus point for scoring 4 tries or more, each.

Although a win would have been a better result, a draw still beats losing an important home game!

“I am very relieved at this news”,  says Ixias Captain, Luvuyo Ndevu. “A draw is better than losing, but we know exactly where to correct issues before our next game”, he assured us.

Team manager, Mr Skillie Bester, was also happy to receive the good news. “In a competition where every log point is of crucial importance, this result may prove very valuable by the end of the season”, he concluded.

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Original article: Published on Tuesday, 15 February 2022

Visiting FNB UJ started this clash like a runaway bus, but the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) – home side - fought back well after the 20^th minute to come within 2 points of surprising the mighty University of Johannesburg (UJ).

FNB UJ started off the first quarter of this encounter by running in 2 unconverted tries and a penalty kick, before the first strategy break. Former Ixia flanker and current UJ Captain, Johannes Terblanche, opened the try with 2 typical maul dominated tries. This, after Jonathan Viljoen, Flyhalf, opened the scoring with an early penalty.

During the strategy break head coach, Braam Van Straaten spoke hard to the home team, FNB CUT Ixias, and they came out with vigour after the break to score their first try of the match through hooker Tiaan Drotske. Flyhalf Floris Brand converted (7 – 13).

FNB UJ hit back immediately with tries Philip Apea Adu(28^th Minute) and Brendon Pawson (32 minute). Viljoen converted both (7 – 27).

In the 35^th minute, Ulrich Stander scored a try for CUT, again converted by Brand (14 – 27).

The last action in first half came from a try by Teboho Rampai (38^th Minute), converted by Brand. The halftime score was 21 – 27.

In the second half, UJ came out guns blazing to round off another dominant maul, and hooker Hloni Mphuthi scored a try, converted by Viljoen (21 – 34). Jacquin van Wyk ran in an easy try, converted by Brand to reduce the UJ lead (28 – 34).

In the 63rd minute, UJ slotted a penalty to give the visitors a 9-point advantage (28 – 37) but FNB CUT was not done. An infringement by UJ resulted in a yellow card and penalty try awarded to CUT (35 – 37).

FNB CUT took the lead for the first time in this match when reserve forward Jan Kotze ran in a try in the 68^th minute, also converted by Brand (42 – 37). But the final say went to the visitors when CJ Masuku scored the winning try converted by Viljoen final score 42 – 44.

With 8 minutes CUT applied the pressure but could capitalise after being awarded penalty deep UJ territory. Their attempt to score the winning try failed and the Blue brigade had to settle for only 2 bonus points in this match.

Johannes Terblanche (FNB UJ) was player that rocks.

CUT tries: Tiaan Drotske, Ulrich Stander , Teboho rampai , Jacquin Van wyk and Jan Kotze and 1 penalty try.

UJ tries: Johannes Terblanche (2), Philip Apea-Adu, Brendon Pawson , Hloni Mphuthi and CJ Masuku.

Written by: Carel Korff