The 2012 Varsity Cup semi-finalists have been decided! The last match of the round robin stage played last night saw UJ drawing twelve all with the University of Stellenbosch. Maties came up to UJ stadium looking to continue their unbeaten streak for the 2012 season and secure a top of the log finish while UJ needed a win with a bonus point to secure a home semi-final.
UJ secured the possession stakes quite comfortably, at times retaining more than 70% ball in hand. However their failure to convert this possession into points saw Maties going into the break 2 points ahead. When they did have possession Maties showed imputes however handling errors cost them dearly.
The second half saw UJ finally managing to bash over the line and following up with the conversion and a penalty to lead ten points to two with ten minutes to go. With all hopes of four tries and a home semi-final out the window, UJ had clearly settled for the win. A mistake by scrum half Rudi Paige gifted the Maties possession with a minute to go. It had taken them 80 minutes to gel and after a cleverly weighted move, Louis Jordaan dotted down in the corner. The conversion by Kemp left the teams level at full time.
Maties captain Helmet Lehmann felt that the boys had played badly but that it was a good wake up call for the knock out phase while UJ captain Justin Wheeler felt that, ‘We can beat any team in this competition on any day.’
UJ alumni and former Springbok Captain Francois Pienaar was on hand at the match and expressed his, ‘delight at seeing such a vocal crowd.’ The semi-finals take place on the 25th March and see UJ travelling down to Danie Craven stadium for a rematch against Maties. The other semi-final pits UP-Tuks against PUKKE in Pretoria.
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