FNB Maties will travel to Potchefstroom to face FNB NWU Eagles in an FNB Varsity Cup semi-final clash at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground on Monday 6 April.
This after the Stellenbosch team secured their play-off place with a convincing 45-23 victory of CUT Ixias in Bloemfontein on Monday 30 March. Hooker CJ Erasmus was the hat-trick hero for the visitors on the night, as they ran in seven tries – including a penalty try – to the home side’s three at CUT Stadium.
For the Ixias the defeat brings a heartbreaking end to their Varsity Cup dream, as they are relegated to the Varsity Shield after failing to register a single win throughout the campaign.
Momentum swings
It didn’t take long for the five-time champions to get on the scoreboard, with Erasmus crashing over from a maul. Shortly afterwards flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden-Smith extended the lead when Maties won a heel against the head at a CUT scrum. He pounced on the loose ball to dot down for an unconverted try.
The Ixias responded with real intent, as hooker Malekela Malothane powered over from a maul to open their account, before flyhalf Devinto Vergotine sliced through to level matters. A penalty by Matthys Malan then edged the hosts into the lead.
As half-time approached the momentum swung again. Maties nudged ahead with a penalty try before Louis Fourie produced a moment of magic, scoring a point-of-origin try straight from the restart to give the visitors a commanding 26-15 lead.
Experience shows
The hosts came out firing in the second half. Malan added another penalty and Hope Seyaga crossed from a lineout move to close the gap to just three points, setting up a tense contest.
But once the Maroon Machine found their rhythm they shifted through the gears. Erasmus peeled off the back of a maul to complete his brace on the hour mark, restoring some breathing room for Maties.
Eight minutes later he was at it again, powering over from yet another dominant maul to seal his hat-trick and put the result beyond doubt.
On the stroke of full-time, replacement tighthead prop Ammaar Burton added the finishing touches after sustained pressure, with fullback Elridge Jack slotting the conversion to compound the Ixias’ misery.
Maties march into their semi-final encounter with confidence, having secured a 30-26 victory over the Eagles at the Danie Craven Stadium on 23 March. The match kicks off at 16:45.
