Staff Reporter

Monday’s heavy downpour did nothing to stop the match between the University of Free State’s Shimlas and the Tuks from the University of Pretoria as the hosts literally ran on water and booked their place in the Varsity Cup semi-finals.

According to KovsieSport, it took a try in the 79th minute by the replacement Kwezi Dlamini to secure the victory, as the Shimlas claimed their first Tuks win in four years.

Even in trying conditions the Shimlas stuck to their running style of play to beat the defending champions 26-15 at Shimla Park at the Bloemfontein campus.

It was largely thanks to a superb first half where the Shimlas ran the visitors off their feet and were leading 19-3 at the break.

The centre Jooste Nel opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a great move close to the try line.

The home team was leading 19-3 after 34 minutes when play was suddenly stopped with lightning approaching.

This could have been the worst outcome for the Shimlas as a result only counted after 40 minutes are played.

It was the second time this season that a UFS home match was influenced by lightning – its Ikeys game was postponed.

Luckily for the Shimlas play resumed.

The University of Pretoria came back well in the second half, got more momentum and in the last 10 minutes were trailing only 15-19 after Allister Williams scored from a driving maul.

But the Shimlas defended well and stars like Thabo Ndimande, the man of the match, refused to give up.

Ndimande was good at the breakdown, flyhalf George Lourens managed matters impressively and physical players like Ruwald van der Merwe made their presence count.

Shimlas 26 (19): Tries: Jooste Nel, Ruwald van der Merwe, Litha Nkula, Kwezi Dlamini. Conversions: Nkula (3).

Tuks 15 (3): Tries: Mihlali Stamper, Allister Williams. Conversion: Stephan Coetzee. Penalty: Walter Visser. – KovsieSport

Staff Reporter

The Central University of Technology (CUT) has named Braam van Straaten as head coach of the Free State institution’s rugby team.

A statement from the university says Van Straaten, who turns 50 next week, boasts a wealth of experience which includes stints at international level with the Wallabies (Australia), Bermuda and Namibia as well as in Super Rugby with the Western Force (Australia), the Sharks and the Southern Kings.

According to the club vice-chairperson, André Pawson, the CUT Ixias will again be in excellent hands with the experienced coach in charge.

“We are super excited having Braam van Straaten at the steer of our rugby on campus,” Pawson is quoted as saying in the statement.

“He is an excellent coach, with a superb track record as general, defence and kicking coach, from provincial to international level.

“We are confident that Van Straaten will continue taking the CUT to even higher heights than we enjoyed over the last five years.”

CUT is expected to announce the rest of the rugby team’s coaching support staff soon.

The Cheetahs and Lions played to a 44-44 draw in a high-scoring Currie Cup encounter in Bloemfontein on Wednesday night.

Both teams scored six tries as the lead changed hands several times.

The Lions, trailing by 44-41 shortly before full-time, were camped on the Cheetahs tryline but couldn’t force their way over for a try.

After winning several penalties, they opted to go for goal to level matters.

There was enough time for a restart but neither team could hang on to the ball and had to settle for a draw.

The Cheetahs led 23-17 at half-time.

Both teams played enterprising rugby although their defensive frailties were laid bare.

The Lions moved past Western Province into fifth position on the log standings, while the Cheetahs remained rooted to the bottom. – Sport24