FNB Maties hopes of reaching the 2023 Varsity Cup Final was shattered when FNB NWU Eagles crushed the Maroon Machines’ dream with a hard-fought 19-10 victory in Potchefstroom. The half-time score was 7-3.
The Eagles were the first to score in the 9th minute when Tino Swanepoel received a good pass from Sylvester Hassien following a brilliant piece of play. Zinedine Robinson landed the conversion.
It was a tight, physical game between the two former champions at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground for much of the first half. The only other points came from a drop goal by Maties’ Jurie Matthee.
A fast start to the second half by the Eagles saw Swanepoel go over for his second try, a superb solo effort after evading the Maties defence. Robinson was once again successful in adding the extra two.
The Maroon Machine fought back with a try from Aydon Topley after a driving maul while Matthee converted to make it 14-10 in favour of the home side.
Things couldn’t get worse for Maties when Marco van Rhyn was sent to the sin bin with 10 minutes left. The Eagles capitalised on this with Jandre de Beer diving over for his try after a driving maul to claim the victory.
FNB NWU Eagles 19 (7) – Tries: Tino Swanepoel (2), Jandre de Beer. Conversions: Zinedine Robinson (2).
FNB Maties 10 (3) – Tries: Aydon Topley. Conversions: Jurie Matthee. Drop goal: Jurie Matthee.
FNB Player That Rocks: Tino Swanepoel (NWU Eagles)
