Stellenbosch University (Maties) claimed a second successive FNB Varsity Cup title as their late charge overwhelmed the University of Pretoria (Tuks) 34-12 at the Danie Craven Stadium on Monday night.
Much like a heavyweight boxing match, these two teams utilised their big guns to try and pummel their opponents into submission, with little room for much flair. Flanker Johann van Niekerk went over for the first score of the game before both teams had even settled down.
The rest of the half saw more of the same, but Munier Harzenberg managed to grab a try among the corporeal exchanges. Flyhalf Jordan Chait added the extras and at 12-0 the Maties had a handy lead going into the break.
After the interval, it was more of the same for Van Niekerk as he went over for a seven-point try and suddenly the Maties looked comfortable at 21-0.
STAR PLAYER: Maties' Munier Hartzenberg. Photo: Phando Jikelo/ANA.
This comfort was short-lived as Tuks winger Dewald Naude went over in the corner, before doing the same a few minutes later in the other corner. This two-try burst, combined with a conversion by flyhalf Tinus de Beer, saw the visitors narrow the gap to 21-12.
A huge moment in the final took place shortly thereafter as Tuks fullback Vaughen Isaacs was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Maties scrumhalf Brendon Nell.
The men in maroon made the numerical advantage count first courtesy of the boot of Chait before Harzenberg scored a superb try to clinch the title for the Maties and secure him the Steers Kinging Moment award. Chait kicked the conversion and a penalty shortly thereafter, putting the final nail in the Tuks coffin.
The game saw the final appearance of stand-in captain Chris Massyn and he closed the book with a second Varsity Cup title and the award as Player That Rocks.
African News Agency