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In a match that will live long in the memory of Varsity Cup lovers, UFS Shimlas are the 2024 champions after they downed Ikey Tigers 45-42 thanks to a last-minute penalty in an 11-try spectacle in Bloemfontein on Monday evening.
Shimlas have won the coveted trophy for the second time, after they were champions in 2015. It is the Ikey Tigers' second final loss in a row after last year's defeat away to the NWU Eagles.
It was the visitors from Cape Town who flew out the blocks and scored two tries in the first eight minutes of the match as hooker Keagan Blanckenberg and centre Johnathan Roche crossed the white was as the Ikey Tigers dominated possession. Winger Ntokozo Makhaza converted both tries for an early 14-0 lead.
Shimlas finally started seeing some ball after Ikey Tigers' dominant start, and some excellent work out on the left eventually saw No 9 Jandre Nel collect the ball just a metre from the line to score an unconverted try that cut the visitors lead to 14-5 in the 16th minute.
The home side's second try followed just a minute later, this time thanks to more sublime handling that resulted in hooker Liyema Mgwigwi scoring and flyhalf Ethan Wentzel converting as Shimlas were now just two points behind, 14-12.
With Shimlas now dominating and looking likely to score a third, it was the Ikey Tigers who produced a moment of brilliance as winger Rethabile Louw read a long pass, collected and ran all of 80m to score a converted point-of-origin try that gave the visitors an 11-point lead in the 29th minute, 23-12.
A penalty from Makhaza just a minute later pushed their lead out to 26-12 as Shimlas were penalised at ruck time around 35m from their own try line and right in front of the posts.
Shimlas, however, were still enjoying more of the ball and worked their way into the Ikey Tigers' 22m area, from where Nel broke and found Wentzel with a chicken-wing pass, allowing the flyhalf to canter through uncontested for a converted try as the score read 26-19 just four minutes from half-time.
Unbelievably, the first half try-fest wasn't done as Ikey Tigers fullback Duran Koevort found himself in acres of spaces to score an uncoverted try in the right-hand corner to push the visitors' lead out to 31-19.
Shimlas, however, again struck four minutes into first-half extra time through No 8 Kwezi Dlamini after Ikey Tigers lost their skipper Johan Van Rhyn to the bin for a cynical foul.
Wentzel converted as the teams went into the shed at half-time with eight tries scored, four from either team, and Ikey Tigers leading 31-26.
Early in the second half, and with the Ikey Tigers still a man down, Nel scored his second of the match as he took a quick tap penalty, kicked ahead and collected to score a brilliant individual effort - and point of origin try to give Shimlas a 33-31.
While Wentzel converted, it was after the shot clock reached zero, so the extra two points didn't count.
Makhaza, however, soon put the Ikey Tigers back in the lead in the 47th minute with his accurate right boot and took the score out to 34-33 after Shimlas were penalised in their own half.
As the match continued its topsy-turvy nature, the home side responded with another point-of-origin try in the 54th minute, which started deep in their half and saw some sublime handling to put winger Siviwe Zondani over in the corner.
With Wentzel adding the conversion, Shimlas now led 42-34.
Just three minutes after that wonder try, the Ikey Tigers cut the Shimlas lead to 42-37 as Makhaza slotted another penalty.
With the Ikey Tigers making much of the running as the time wound down, it was the visitors who tied things up with just three minutes left as replacement hooker Jan Lombard rumbled over from a rolling maul tied things up at 42-42.
Makhaza, however, couldn't convert with a difficult attempt that would have secured the win for Ikeys.
But with a minute left in the match, Shimlas worked their way into the Ikey Tigers' half, winning a penalty in the process.
Wentzel stepped up, and the ice-cold No 10 sent his attempt at goal straight through the uprights to give Shimlas a historic 45-52 win in a match that will long live in the memory.
Scorers
Shimlas 45 (26)
Tries: Jandre Nel (2 - one was a point of origin score), Liyema Mgwigwi, Ethan Wentzel, Kwezi Dlamini, Siviwe Zondani (point of origin)
Conversions: Ethan Wentzel (4)
Penalties: Ethan Wentzel
Ikey Tigers: 42 (31)
Tries: Keagan Blanckenberg, Johnathan Roche, Rethabile Louw (point of origin), Duran Koevort, Jan Lombard
Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (3)
Penalties: Ntokozo Makhaza (3)
22 April 21:00
Spare a thought for the Ikey Tigers.
That's the second away final that they have lost in a row...
22 April 21:00
22 April 20:59
83' - WENTZEL HAS WON IT FOR SHIMLAS!
He slots the penalties and the home side win 45-42!
WHAT A MATCH!
22 April 20:54
78'- TRY to the Ikey Tigers!
Replacement hooker Jan Lombard is over from a rolling maul.
What drama in Bloem!
Makhaza cannot convert.... it is all tied up.
Shimlas 42-42
22 April 20:52
77' - Penalty to the Ikey Tigers.
They don't go for posts, but set up an attacking lineout instead.
22 April 20:49
22 April 20:48
73' - Ikey Tigers are on the attack!
They have seven minutes to try to regain the lead.
But they turn the ball over and Shimlas break out.
22 April 20:41
65' - Things a lot tighter now as the match nears it's end.
There's also been quite a few handling errors, which is to be expected as the players time from what has been an extremely frantic game.
Shimlas still lead 42-37, however.
22 April 20:21
53' - TRY to Shimlas!
The home side knows how to give the ball some air. A breathless passage sees them score a point of origin try from their own half, finished by winger Siviwe Zondani.
Wentzel lands a difficult conversion, and that's a 9-point swing for the Shimlas, which gives them the lead for the first time in the match.
Shimlas 42-34 Ikey Tigers
22 April 20:09
43' - TRY to Shimlas!
The home side score the first try of the second half as Nel shows some individual brilliance.
The No 9 breaks, kicks ahead and collects to cross the whitewash for a point of origin try.
The conversion is over, but after the shot clock ran out, so the extra two won't count.
Shimlas 33-31 Ikey Tigers
22 April 20:02
The second half is about to get under way.
What a bonkers first half that was. Will the second go in much the same way?
22 April 19:53
HALF-TIME
And breathe...
What a half of rugby that was. Only the small matter of eight tries, four from both sides.
UCT had a magic start, but as the game has worn on, its Shimlas that have taken control with the visitors living off scraps.
Shimlas 26-31 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:51
45' - TRY for the Shimlas!
They make their extra man count as Shimlas' skipper, Kwezi Dlamini, barrels over from a driving maul.
Wentzel adds the conversion and that's half-time.
Shilmas 26-31 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:47
38' - TRY to Ikey Tigers!
Unbelievably, the first-half try-fest wasn't done as Ikey Tigers fullback Duran Koevort finds himself in acres of spaces to score an unconverted try in the right-hand corner.
Shimlas 19-31 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:40
36' - TRY to Shimlas
More enterprising play from the home side sees Wentzel run in the try after a brilliant snipe and chicken-wing pass from Jandre Nel!
Wentzel converts his own try.
Shimlas 19-26 UCT
22 April 19:35
30' - PENALTY slotted by Ikey Tigers!
Makhaza punishes Shimlas for their infringement at ruck time as his reliable boot sends the ball straight through the uprights.
Shimlas 12-26 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:31
27 ' - TRY to Ikey Tigers!
An interception from Rethabile Louw who sprints all over 80m to score under the posts for Ikey Tigers.
That's a point of origin try, so it counts for seven points.
Makhaza converts.
Shimlas 12-23 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:29
22 April 19:28
24' - Shimlas taking control now as they've won the last two penalties, the second at scrum time.
Wentzel sets up a lineout deep in the Ikey Tigers half.
22 April 19:22
We have a strategy break.
What an open game it has been so far. Ikey Tigers started off so well, but Shimlas are right back in this.
22 April 19:21
19'- Try to Shimlas
Shimlas are turning this around with some brilliant handling that sees hooker Liyema Mgwigwi collect a pass close to the line and score.
Ethan Wentzel converts and we have a two point game.
Shimlas 12-14 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:17
16' - Try to Shimlas
That's better from the home side. They've managed to keep the ball for the last few minutes and manage their first score of the match as No. 9 Jandre Nel scores an unconverted try.
Shimlas 5-14 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:11
22 April 19:08
8' - TRY to the Ikey Tigers
A chip ahead is collected by Johanthan Roche who scores UCT's second try.
Makhaza slots the conversion.
Shimlas 0-14 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:07
8' - All the possession and territory for the Ikey Tigers.
They have seen well over 70% of the ball and 90% of territory.
22 April 19:04
4'- Try to Ikey Tigers!
Ikey Tigers are back on the attack in the Shimlas 22m area, and Keagan Blanckenberg is over in the left-hand corner.
Ntokozo Makhaza slots the extras from a difficult angle.
That's the perfect start for the Ikey Tigers!
Shimlas 0-7 Ikey Tigers
22 April 19:01
22 April 18:58
In a somewhat unique occurence, the Steers scooter delivers the matchball out into the middle.
22 April 18:56
22 April 18:53
22 April 18:34
TEAMS
Shimlas
15 Michael Jnr Kurt Annies, 14 Siviwe Zondani, 13 Zane Bester, 12 Gideon Jooste Nel, 11 Asanda Sihle Kunene, 10 Ethan SJ Wentzel, 9 Jandre Nel, 8 Kwezi Dlamini, 7 Pierre-Raymond Freddie Uys, 6 Sobe Siyambuka Nakhane Ningiza, 5 John Raymond Stopforth, 4 Reinier Juan Martin Viljoen, 3 Francisco Dos Reis, 2 Liyema Mgwigwi, 1 Ntokozo Hlophe
Ikey Tigers
15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Joshua Boulle, 12 Johanthan Roche, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Taariq Kruger, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 Johan Van Rhyn, 4 Reynhardt Wouter Crous, 3 John Kelly Ifechukwu Okonkwo, 2 Keagan Jordan Blanckenberg, 1 Luthando Solomon Woji.
22 April 18:26
Welcome to New24 Sport's coverage of the 2024 Varsity Cup final as UFS Shimlas take on the Ikey Tigers.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
15 April 21:06
Ikey Tigers to face UFS Shimlas in 2024 Varsity Cup final
UCT will travel to Bloemfontein to face the UFS Shimlas in the Varsity Cup final after an emphatic away win over the NWU Eagles in Potchefstroom.
Earlier in the day, Shimlas proved too strong for Maties, as they ran out 38-24 winners that will see them host the showcase event next week.
The Tigers opened the scoring thanks to the trusty boot of Ntokozo Makahaza before a 35m drop goal from Zinedine Robertson levelled things up for the Eagles at 3-3.
Makahaza then put the visitors back into the lead at 6-3 before the Eagles scored the first try of the game as Tian van Zyl forced his way over from close to the line to make the score 8-6 in the home side's favour.
The Tigers, however, worked their way into the match and scored an impressive try after some excellent build-up work as Duran Koevert beat the
Eagles defence to cross the whitewash for an unconverted effort and an 11-8 lead.
Makahza extended that lead to 14-8, which it remained as the teams went into the shed for half-time.
Koevort gave the Tigers the perfect start to the second half as he beat a defending and then showed incredible strength to ground the ball, despite the attention of two Eagles players to score an unconverted try, which gave the visitors a 19-8 lead after 46 minutes.
That lead went out to 14 points at 22-8 thanks to another Makahaza penalty just six minutes later.
The Eagles needed to score next, and they did as Mpho Kubheka pounced on a poor scrum ball from the Tigers to race away and score an unconverted try to cut the score to 22-13.
Mika Shebert then all but secured the match for the Tigers as he rounded off an unconverted point of origin try that gave UCT a 29-13 lead with 16 minutes left in the match.
A consolation score in the 75th minute by Calvin Clack saw the Eagles cut UCT's lead to 29-18, but it was simply a case of too little too late.
To rub further salt into their wounds, the dependable Makahaza slotted another penalty to push the score out to 32-18 as the Tigers came away as worthy winners on the night to secure their place in the final away to Shimlas.
Scores:
NWU Eagles 18 (8)
Tries: Tian van Zyl, Mpho Kubheka, Calvin Clack
Drop goal: Zinedine Robertson
Ikey Tigers: 32 (14)
Tries: Duran Koevort (2), Mika Shebert (point of origin)
Penalties: Ntokozo Makahaza (5)
15 April 21:01
79' - PENALTY slotted by the Tigers!
Makahaza kicks his 5th penalty of the night.
Eagles 18-32 Tigers
15 April 21:00
75' - TRY to the Eagles!
Calvin Clack gets over for a unconverted score after relentless pressure from the home side.
It is too little too late.
Eagles 18-29
15 April 20:40
62' - TRY to the Tigers!
That's a huge score for the Tigers, and it is a point of origin try scored from their own half that sees Mika Shebert score in the corner.
Eagles 13-29 Tigers
15 April 20:29
57'- TRY for the Eagles!
That was much needed.
A massive scrum from the Eales puts the Tigers under pressure. They can't control the ball which pops out allowing Mpho Kubheka to collect and speed away to score an unconverted try.
Eagles 13-22 Ikeys
15 April 20:22
51' - PENALTY slotted by the Tigers!
Makahaza makes no mistake off the tee and UCT extend their lead.
Eagles 8-22 Ikeys
