Visitors FNB Maties moved to the top of the 2013 Varsity Cup standings thanks to a 23-15 bonus-point victory over FNB UFS-Shimlas in Bloemfontein on Monday.
The team from Stellenbosch scored three tries in the first half to take a commanding 18-5 lead into the break, and then held off the home side who threw everything at them in the second half.
UFS-Shimlas enjoyed the majority of possession but found it difficult to penetrate the staunch Maties defence, while the visitors managed to make the most of their opportunities when they were presented.
The visitors were first to strike when big lock Reniel Hugo grabbed an intercept to canter over for the opening try, but the conversion attempt from flyhalf Dean Grant was unsuccessful as it was charged down.
The home side drew level shortly afterwards thanks to a try from right wing Maphutha Dolo who was put in space by fullback Robbie van Schalkwyk, but two further tries from Maties before half-time saw them take a healthy lead into the break.
First skipper Helmut Lehmann scored an intercept try of his own, and his side were put in complete control just before half-time when centre Louis Jordaan went over in the corner to make it 18-5.
UFS-Shimlas started the second half with purpose as they looked to claw their way back into the match, and they were soon rewarded when No 8 Erik le Roux forced his way over the whitewas.
The deficit was reduced to just 18-15 when UFS-Shimlas replacement flyhalf Pieter-Steyn de Wet knocked over a penalty to set up a tense final quarter with the game in the balance.
However, it was to be Maties who had the final say when a knock-on from the home side saw the speedy JP Lewis dive over in the corner to seal the bonus-point victory for his side with just five minutes remaining.
