FNB Wits sink to semi-final loss against FNB Maties
FNB Wits in the thick of it with FNB Maties. Photo: Provided
FNB Wits fell to the team’s heaviest defeat in the semi-finals of the Varsity Cup this year, losing 65-18 to FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on Monday night, April 2.
The stadium was buzzing before kick-off, creating a strong home ground advantage for the Maties players and paving the groundwork for FNB Maties to score an early try in the first minute of the game, which was successfully converted by Chris Smith.
Maties then outskilled Wits to put down four more tries before allowing Wits to enter the game through a Daniel Kasende Kapepula try, which was converted. However, dominant Maties had the final say of the half scoring one more try before the break, going in with a firm lead of 40-9.
To the relief of the Wits fans, the Gauteng side came out fighting and scored the first try of the second half through David Cary. There seemed to be a bit of hope on the horizon for the boys from Braamfontein, however, this was rapidly squashed by four Maties tries to round up the game with 10 tries for the home team, creating the final 65-18 score line.
Wits head coach Hugo Van As told Wits Vuvuzela that the defeat showed respect for the opposition, “It was very disappointing but it was very tough. The conditions were difficult and we played against a tough side. They came at us and they played very well.”
Van As added, “The boys bought into the dream and goals for the year. They had a desire to do well and I think they achieved a lot this season.”
Try scorer, Kapepula, said after the game, “It was a tough game, we had to chase the game which forced us to play risky rugby but we gave it our all and showed strong character.”Although Wits were defeated in the semi-final it was a huge achievement for the boys to make it to this stage in the Varsity Cup.
Kapepula said, “The atmosphere is strong, we are proud of each other as a team. One game can’t take away from the season we have had and what we have built together.”
Fourth-year BEd student, Neil Spilhaus, said that the possible factors that helped the Wits rugby team this year was a rise in team morale.
FNB Wits have had a history-making season. It is the furthest Wits rugby has come in Varsity Cup to date and 2019 promises a consolidation of the team’s achievements.
FNB Maties will face FNB NWU in the Varsity Cup final on Monday, April 16.
FNB Player That Rocks: Johan Momsen (FNB Maties)
Yellow Cards: Conor Brockschmidt (FNB Wits); Ruan Cloete (FNB Wits)
FNB Maties: 65
Tries: Neethling Fouche; Johan van Niekerk; Chris Smit; Wilmar Arnoldi; Janco Venter (2); Chris Smith; Duncan Saal (2); Munier Hartzenberg
Conversions: Chris Smith (5)
Penalties: Chris Smith
FNB Wits: 18
Tries: Bin Kasende Kapepula; David Cray
Conversions: Christian Humphries (2)
Source: www.varsitycup.co.za
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