In wet and cold conditions in Bloemfontein, FNB Maties blew the FNB CUT Ixias away with a brilliant first-half performance that saw them score six tries to lead 47-0 at the break. Hooker Sean Swart crossed the line twice and went on to win the FNB Player That Rocks award. To their credit, the hosts showed far more fight in the second half, restricting their opponents to just one more try – wing Sibabalwe Xamlashe’s second – while scoring three themselves, including two from captain Luvuyo Ndevu. FNB Maties had to play 15 minutes of the second half with 14 men after replacement prop James Combrinck was red-carded for the apparent use of a knee on a player. Pictured is Adriaan van der Bank, Captain of Maties, during the match between the FNB CUT and FNB Maties at the CUT Rugby Stadium in Bloemfontein. Photo: Hannes Naude
