Maties can now sleep easy after calling all the shots in Stellenbosch
Maties 31 Pukke 9
IF Maties were still having sleepless nights over that cruel 7-6 loss to NWU-Pukke in the final of last year’s Varsity Cup, they will surely be sleeping soundly after last night’s impressive win over the defending champions.
Maties called all the shots with their physical, direct play in the first half at a full Danie Craven Stadium as they dominated territory and possession, while Pukke struggled to get into the game and made a number of mistakes, especially in the first half.
One of Pukke’s biggest drawbacks was their forced passes, which ruined a number of scoring and momentum-gaining opportunities.
Pukke captain Jeandre Rudolph was one of the top performers with his solid work at the breakdowns and powerful, quick runs, while Western Province flank Kobus van Dyk also gave Maties an edge up front with his strong carries.
Maties had another top performer in flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg, who showed excellent game management, while fullback Swanepoel also further strengthened the University of Stellenbosch’s strong kicking game from the back.
The hosts got the first try of the match when loose forward Mitchell Carstens went over after Maties took a short attacking lineout five metres from Pukke’s try line, and produced a solid drive from the back to propel Carstens forward. Stapelberg converted to take the score to 7-0.
Just before the first strategic break, Maties picked up a try again through Van Dyk, before Pukke wing Jimmy Mpailane scored the visitors’ first try in dramatic fashion just before halftime. The tall wing ran almost 70 metres to get the seven-point try after snatching an intercept pass from Maties inside centre Braam Venter, who tried to get the ball away on his outside in Pukke 22 (15-9).
But the visitors’ ill-discipline that they showed earlier in the game crept back into their play, which resulted in Stapelberg punishing them for their wrongs with his second penalty kick of the night before halftime (18-9).
In the second half, Maties continued their dominance and got another try through wing Edwill van der Merwe
Replacement Chris Smith converted the try (31-9).