Stellenbosch - FNB UJ made history in Stellenbosch on Monday night when they beat FNB Maties 39-19 to finish on top of the log and knock Maties out of the competition for the first time ever.
UJ started well and scored three early tries, none of which fullback Theuns Kotze could convert, and the visitors were full-value for their 15-0 lead at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Maties hit back with a try late in the first half to Stokkies Hanekon after flyhalf Andre Kemp had put through a clever grubber for him to chase.
The home team scored again shortly after the break through captain Hugo Kloppers and they were right back in it as 12-15. But UJ pulled away through a second try to the flying Lolo Waka, and this time Kotze converted to make it 22-12.
As expected Maties threw everything at UJ, needing a bonus point to sneak into the semifinals but UJ were next to score through an intercept try to right wing Aubrey McDonald.
Maties managed to get a consolation try near the end but it was not enough and they were sent packing out of the competition that they have won three times.
The Teams
Maties: 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Ryan Nell, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Louis Jordaan, 11 Tythan Adams, 10 André Kemp, 9 Donald Stevens, 8 Meyer Swanepoel, 7 Andrew Prior, 6 Reuben Johannes, 5 Hugo Kloppers (captain), 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 2 Gareth Light, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Johannes Gericke, 17 Suan Havenga, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Helmut Lehman, 20 James Alexander, 21 Berton Klaasen, 22 Jarryd Buys, 23 Nian Berg.
Head coach: Chean Roux
UJ: 15 Theuns Kotze, 14 Aubrey McDonald, 13 Justin St. Jerry, 12 Luan Steenkamp, 11 Lolo Waka, 10 André Smith, 9 Rudi Paige, 8 Cameron Peverett, 7 Justin Wheeler (captain), 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Marnus van Huyssteen, 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Alfred Ries, 17 Ollie Terblanche, 18 Shane Kirkwood, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Jacques Pretorius, 21 Wigan Pekeur, 22 Divan van Zyl, 23 Anthony Gallacher.
Head coach: Hugo van As
UJ started well and scored three early tries, none of which fullback Theuns Kotze could convert, and the visitors were full-value for their 15-0 lead at the Danie Craven Stadium.
Maties hit back with a try late in the first half to Stokkies Hanekon after flyhalf Andre Kemp had put through a clever grubber for him to chase.
The home team scored again shortly after the break through captain Hugo Kloppers and they were right back in it as 12-15. But UJ pulled away through a second try to the flying Lolo Waka, and this time Kotze converted to make it 22-12.
As expected Maties threw everything at UJ, needing a bonus point to sneak into the semifinals but UJ were next to score through an intercept try to right wing Aubrey McDonald.
Maties managed to get a consolation try near the end but it was not enough and they were sent packing out of the competition that they have won three times.
The Teams
Maties: 15 Ruan Combrinck, 14 Ryan Nell, 13 Stokkies Hanekom, 12 Louis Jordaan, 11 Tythan Adams, 10 André Kemp, 9 Donald Stevens, 8 Meyer Swanepoel, 7 Andrew Prior, 6 Reuben Johannes, 5 Hugo Kloppers (captain), 4 Reniel Hugo, 3 Buhle Mxunyelwa, 2 Gareth Light, 1 Alistair Vermaak.
Replacements: 16 Johannes Gericke, 17 Suan Havenga, 18 Stephan Greeff, 19 Helmut Lehman, 20 James Alexander, 21 Berton Klaasen, 22 Jarryd Buys, 23 Nian Berg.
Head coach: Chean Roux
UJ: 15 Theuns Kotze, 14 Aubrey McDonald, 13 Justin St. Jerry, 12 Luan Steenkamp, 11 Lolo Waka, 10 André Smith, 9 Rudi Paige, 8 Cameron Peverett, 7 Justin Wheeler (captain), 6 Wendal Wehr, 5 Marnus van Huyssteen, 4 Johan Snyman, 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Francois du Toit, 1 Caylib Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Alfred Ries, 17 Ollie Terblanche, 18 Shane Kirkwood, 19 Johan van Deventer, 20 Jacques Pretorius, 21 Wigan Pekeur, 22 Divan van Zyl, 23 Anthony Gallacher.
Head coach: Hugo van As