FNB Varsity Cup: Joburg Rivals UJ and Wits Deliver Memorable Classic in Highveld Storm

• The University of Johannesburg will hold bragging rights after defeating city rivals University of Witwatersrand in the FNB Varsity Cup
• In a match played during a fierce highveld thunderstorm, UJ had to hang on for dear life in 29-24 victory against the Braamfontein enemy
• Satisfyingly for the home team, the victory moved UJ above Wits on the log table as the race for a top-four finish heated up

The pressure was on FNB UJ to deliver – and deliver they did against their Johannesburg rivals. The hosts bossed the scrums and the breakdowns – with co-captain Johannes Terblanche enjoying a big game on the ground. They converted several attacking chances in wet and challenging conditions and showed remarkable fortitude on defence.

FNB Wits were competitive at the lineout, though, and managed to build some momentum in the second stanza. Fullback Setshaba Mokoena breached the hosts’ defence, and was also involved in the visitors’ second try, which was eventually finished by No 8 Phillip Krause.

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As reported on SuperSport, Chris Humphries converted to level the scores with 20 minutes left in the contest. A further try by Luhle Matyolweni propelled FNB Wits into the lead. But FNB UJ weren’t done yet. Kelvin Kanenungo rounded off a point-of-origin try, and then Shaun-Christian Baxter held his nerve to slot two important kicks to complete a big win.

The result sees FNB UJ moving out of the relegation zone – for now. In the context of the current season, they remain in the hunt for a spot in the semifinals.

FNB UJ – 15 Shaun-Christian Baxter, 14 Rowan Malgas, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Indiphile Tyeda, 11 Likhaya Tengimfene, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Keegan Joubert, 8 Kelvin Kanenungo (co-c), 7 CJ Masuku, 6 Johannes Terblanche (co-c), 5 Brendon Pawson, 4 Philip Apea-Adu, 3 Frans Bezuidenhout, 2 Darnell Osuagwu, 1 Kayden Kiewit.

Subs: 16 Hloni Mphuthi, 17 Elizee Kwitonda, 18 Ntokozo Hlophe, 19 Babalo Makana, 20 Connor van Buuren, 21 Buhlebenkosi Qaba, 22 Mpho Kubheka, 23 Gerath Louw.

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FNB Wits – 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Luhle Matyolweni, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Phillip Krause, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Edward White, 4 Cal Smid, 3 Ebot Buma (c), 2 Prince Mulea, 1 Jason Cloete.

Subs: 16 Dagan Meuwese, 17 Mikhaya Sonqishe, 18 Franco Groenewald, 19 Kyle van Eyssen, 20 Alexander Skudder, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Keagan Lailvaux, 23 Siyabonga Xulu.

Varsity Cup: UCT Ikeys pounce on University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch Maties survive big scare vs UJ

As reported on Sports Brief, the University of Cape Town got its Varsity Cup campaign back on track with a vital and thumping victory over the University of the Western Cape.

The University of the Witswatersrand put in arguably its greatest ever performance as it slapped the University of the Free State.

The Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University was full value in their win over the Central University of Technology