FNB Varsity Cup: UCT Breaks Pukke Hearts, Maties Make Statement in Good Win Against Tuks as Fans Return

FNB UCT scored a last-minute try to beat FNB NWU in the opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup, while there were also wins for FNB Maties, FNB UFS Shimlas, FNB Wits and FNB UJ.

FNB UCT fought back from a 12-point deficit to claim a bonus-point win against FNB NWU at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds.

As reported on VarsityCup.com, the Eagles dominated the set pieces and controlled the game for much of the first half. Flyhalf Nivan Petersen contributed 16 points from the kicking tee as FNB NWU took a commanding 26-14 lead into the break.

The Ikeys improved at the scrum and lineout in the second stanza, and managed to draw level with the Eagles as the end of the game approached. They may have taken the lead several times at the death if not for three missed goal attempts.

The match was decided in the final minute, when Ikeys replacement Duran Koevort pounced on a loose ball and raced away to complete a Point of Origin (seven-point) try.

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Football

Kyle Bowman’s conversion ensured that the Ikeys banked a nine-point win on the road. What’s more, it denied the Eagles a losing bonus point.

In other news, replacement tight forward Sean Swart scored a 70th-minute try as FNB Maties beat FNB UP-Tuks 19-9 at Tuks Stadium.

Maties dominated possession and territory but weren’t able to take their try-scoring chances in the first half.

They relied on captain Adriaan van der Bank to keep the scoreboard ticking over, with opposite number Jandré Burger also kicking three penalties to make it 9-9.

The visitors' bold decision to kick a late penalty to touch instead of at goal paid off as they won the lineout and rumbled over the tryline with Swart the man to dot down.

Replacement Jurie Mathee kicked the conversion and added an 80th-minute penalty to seal the win.

Citizen questions government logic of allowing pupils in packed classrooms but not allowing fans into stadiums

A social media user asked a pertinent question about the inconsistent applications lockdown regulations in publication spaces.

Lesley Makhaya de Vos (@lezdevos) tweeted how some classrooms across the country are packed beyond capacity with vaccinated and unvaccinated learners, while other public and well ventilated venues like stadiums are either still closed to spectators or very few spectators are allowed in.