The UFS Young Guns are heading to the Varsity Cup Young Guns final after pulling off a 46–40 win over Tuks YG in a dramatic semi-final at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.
UFS skipper and fullback Heinze Stockenstrom scored early with a penalty, but Tuks soon responded. Jepy Tipoy dotted down to give the visitors an early boost.
The local side hit back through Sibabalwe Booi, with the loosehead prop taking a quick tap and powering his way over. A penalty from Joshua Dampies kept Tuks in the contest, but Stockenstrom’s boot nudged UFS back ahead.
In the closing stages of the first half Tuks’ Danré Pike crossed for two tries, while Caylum Schooney added another. However, UFS had the final say when winger Anrich Schaffer finished in the corner, bringing the score to 27–21.
UFS replacement scrumhalf Bernard Wessels made impact after the interval, scoring a try from a maul. Tuks continued to fight, with winger Milani Madide adding to their tally to keep them in front. But Wessels struck again, grabbing his second try.
With time running out, a tense kicking exchange between Stockenstrom and Dampies saw Tuks edge ahead 40–39 with less than two minutes to play.
As Tuks looked to clear from inside their own 22m area, lock Renier Grobler charged down the attempted exit kick and grounded it for a dramatic match-winning try on the stroke of full-time.
UFS’s dominance at scrum time and their resilience on defence proved crucial. Their grit and refusal to give up that sealed a memorable victory. On Monday at 16:00, UFS Young Guns will tackle the UCT in the final at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria. At 19:00, it’s the Varsity Cup final between Tuks and NWU Eagles. – MORGAN PIEK
