FNB Maties upset FNB NWU Eagles in a close-fought FNB Varsity Cup encounter at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom on Monday evening (24 February).
A man-of-the-match performance by Maties’ fly-half Christiaan van Heerden Smith inspired the visitors to a 27-29 victory.
Winger Grant de Jager opened the scoring for Maties following a line-out, however the Eagles responded with a try by inside centre Isrome Phatudi, who glided over his man to land the try for his side. Van Heerden Smith and Eagles fly-half Stehan Heymans converted for their respective teams (7-7).
A penalty by Van Heerden Smith put Maties in front, before a brilliant move from a scrum saw NWU winger Naiden Jaarts capitalising to dot down and take the scoreboard to 14-10 when Heymans slotted the conversion again. A penalty by the Eagles’ fly-half extended the lead to 17-10.
Maties showed character, with a try from outside centre Ryan Manuel and flanker Fortune Mpofu giving the away side a 20-22 lead heading into half-time.
With a change of jersey, Maties began the second half positively with a try by captain and scrumhalf Ezekiel Ngobeni after a sprint down the touchline, with Van Heerden Smith converting to make it 20-29.
NWU scrumhalf Divan du Toit responded with a try 10 minutes later to reduce the deficit, before Heymans converted to make it 27-29. Heymans failed to clinch the victory for his side with a missed penalty in the last minute of the game, handing the men from Stellenbosch the victory and all the points on offer for the night.
Next Monday (3 March), Maties return to Stellenbosch when they host FNB CUT at the Danie Craven Stadium at 19:00.
- Other results: FNB UP-Tuks 37-29 FNB UJ; FNB UFS Shimlas 59-29 FNB Wits; and FNB CUT 23-19 FNB UCT Ikeys.
