Varsity Cup: FNB Shimlas End Painful Grudge With FNB University of Stellenbosch After a Stunning Victory

Varsity Cup: FNB Shimlas End Painful Grudge With FNB University of Stellenbosch After a Stunning Victory

Keba Mothoagae
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:56 PM
  • FNB University of the Free State produced an attacking masterclass to thrash FNB University of Stellenbosch 50-28 in Bloemfontein
  • The Shimlas were monumental in the victory, ending a run of seven consecutive losses against the Maties
  • Significantly, Stellenbosch had annihilated Free State 81-24 in last year's corresponding at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane

Openside flank Thabo Ndimande set the tone when he powered through the defence for the first of his two tries.

Shimlas turned down several kicks at goal in the period that followed, and earned the desired reward when they scored four tries from close range.

Varsity Cup: FNB Shimlas End Painful Grudge With FNB University of Stellenbosch After a Stunning Victory
The University of Stellenbosch settled a (very large) score with the University of Stellenbosch. Image source: @varsitycup/Twitter
Source: Twitter

As reported on Supersport.com, By halftime, the hosts had powered their way into a commanding lead. They had also secured the four-try bonus point. They weren’t done yet, though.

Lock Marco van Rhyn was shown a yellow card after Maties were given a team warning for cynical play on their own tryline.

Shimlas didn’t hesitate to kick the resultant penalty to touch. They reset their formidable maul, and scored.

Ndimande emerged from the pile of bodies and was credited with his third try of the evening.

The flanker had an outstanding match at the set pieces and at the breakdowns, but was particularly potent with ball in hand.

The men from Free State then hit a second half speed wobble, receiving two yellow cards after repeated infractions on their try line snapped the referee's patience.

The visitors reduced the gap to 10 points, and will rue their inconsistent goal-kicking, which could have chiselled away the deficit even further.

Against the run of play, however, the 13-man Shimlas struck a telling blow. The result marks Shimlas’ third win against Maties in the history of the tournament – as well as their first victory against the men from Stellenbosch since 2015.

United Rugby Championship: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi praised for sportsmanship after try score admission

Springbok captain and Sharks flank Siya Kolisi, fresh off winning the South African Rugby Player of the Year for 2021, earned himself more plaudits.

As reported on Sports Brief, during the Cell C Sharks and DHL Stormers United Rugby Championship match on Saturday, he showed outstanding sportsmanship with his team on the try line.

Kolisi made a sporting admission the equivalent of a batter "walking" in cricket when he told referee Marius van der Westhuizen, "I'm held up" over the try line in their match against the Stormers last Saturday.

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Keba Mothoagae
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