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Ahead of next week’s semifinals, it was all-out action in the last round-robin encounters of the 2024 Varsity Cup.
On Monday, 8 April, the Shimlas of the University of the Free State (UFS) claimed a vital 24 – 12 bonus point victory over the team of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) at a wet Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg.
The game kicked off with both teams playing with caution on the wet surface. It was Wits that enjoyed early possession, but they failed to convert it into points.
Once Shimlas got into their groove, it was evident they would pose a threat to the Wits defence. First blood was drawn by the visitors, when hooker Liyema Mgwigwi dove over from close range, after playing through the phases.
Flyhalf Ethan Wentzel made light work of the conversion, adding the extra 2 points to give his side a 7 – 0 lead.
Speedster Siviwe Zondani added his name to the scoresheet after well-worked team play that Zondani rounded off under the poles.
Wentzel once again rose to the occasion and the visitors went into the half-time break 14 – 0.
Shimlas managed to score again after the second strategy through fullback Michael Annies.
Wits hit back shortly with Drew Bennet sliding over after receiving an incredible pass from outside centre Liyema Matyolweni.
The much-needed bonus point try for Shimlas was scored by Gideon Nel, with the resulting conversion attempt striking the upright.
Wits got a consolation try in the last move of the game, with flanker Kelvin Kanenungo barging his way over to see the match end 24 – 12 in favour of Shimlas.
The Shimlas are among the four semifinalists while the Ixias of the Central University of Technology (CUT) Free State are again in the relegation play-offs as last year.
The other semifinalists are the Maties (Stellenbosch University), Eagles (North West University) and the Ikeys (University of Cape Town).
The semifinals will be played on Monday, 15 April, and the finals on 22 April. The Shimlas have their eyes fixed on the trophy. Last year they were unable to capitalise playing in their backyard; Shimlas lost 30 – 65 to Ikeys, three-times winners.
The Shimlas are travelling to Western Cape to face-off Maties on Monday. To realise the dream to lift the cup for the second title, the UFS boys can look to emulate their masterful performance that saw them edge out Maties by 44 – 12 last year.
The five-time champions, Maties, also lost in the semifinal to the Eagles last year.
The CUT will be looking to retain their Varsity Cup status having failed to do so in their last two matches in the competition. The games were against the Eagles, on 25 March, and Maties on Monday, 8 April.
Last year Ixias retain their elite rank status after demolishing the Madibaz of the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) 91 – 10 in their promotion-relegation tie.
