UFS Shimlas stun Maties 50-28 in Varsity Cup in Bloemfontein

Centurion — The University of Free State Shimlas completed a surprise 50-28 over the much-fancied University of Stellenbosch Maties at Shimla Park, in Bloemfontein, on Monday.

In a high-scoring affair, it would be the hosts which ran riot on the night as they outscored their visitors by seven tries to four for a full haul of five points.

With Shimlas dictating the early exchanges, flank Thabo Ndimande burst through a tackle just outside the 22 before fobbing off two Maties defenders and diving over for the opening score of the clash in the fourth minute. Flyhalf George Lourens slotted the conversion to make it 7-0.

A minute later, Maties scored their first points of the clash through a Jurie Matthee penalty from in front to make it 7-3.

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Shimlas scored their second in the 13th minute from a close-range rolling maul, with Ndimande bagging his second in quick time. Fullback Litha Nkula was on target with the conversion to increase his side’s lead to 11 with the score at 14-3.

Matthee added another penalty in the 18th minute to make it 14-6.

Shimlas scored their third try following a line out five metres out, with flank Thabang Mahlasi driving the ball over the line. Nkula missed the conversion from the touchline, but Shimlas were already out to a 19-6 lead.

Maties hit back with their first try of the evening from hooker Chris Rossouw on the half hour mark. Matthee missed the conversion, as the score remained 19-11 in favour of the hosts.

Shimlas lock Nathan Jordan barged his way over from close range after some good build-up play, with Nkula adding the conversion from in front to make it 26-11 just before the break.

FULL TIME and scenes in Bloem as the