Port Elizabeth - The University of Johannesburg (UJ) have not qualified for the semi-final of the FNB Varsity Cup rugby competition despite their impressive 36-10 win over NMMU in difficult conditions at the PE campus last night after leading 29-5 at half-time.
The visitors adapted far better than the home side to the windy conditions and they thoroughly deserved their victory.
Their pack of forwards hunted well together, while their backline ran with purpose and pace in setting up most of the tries.
NMMU once again failed to round off several promising movements, but full marks to the solid defence of UJ. No 8 Jaco Swanepoel and flank Andre Goosen were prominent in the tight and loose phases UJ's No 8 Torrie Meyer led the way up front with a storming display and he received excellent support from his tight five. A feature of the game was the excellent supporting play of the visitors and their ability to make full use of possession.
Referee Bennie Crouse handled the game competently and issued yellow cards to NMMU lock Jacques Naude and UJ flank Frikkie Martins.
NMMU will be pleased to note that the Shimlas trounced TUT to the tune of 78-22. This ensures that TUT finished bottom of the log on one point against the four collected by NMMU.
This means that TUT will be involved in the promotion and relegation playoff later in the season.
Scorers:
NMMU: Tries by flyhalf Willem Laubscher and hooker Shaun Slabberrt.
UJ: Tries by left wing Itumelang Mogotsi, scrumhalf Jaco Snyman, flank Julian Erasmus, wing Edrich van Tonder, flank Frikkie Martins and replacement centre Andre Smit.