The Shimas thumped the Maties 44-12 at the Danie Craven Stadium to finish second in the standings behind the log-leading NWU Eagles.

The class of 2023 became the first Shimlas team to beat the five-time champions in their own back yard, with their previous best performance being a 13-13 draw some nine years ago in 2014.

The winger Marcqiewn Titus and centre Waqar Solaan both scored for the Maties in the fist half, but two point-of-origin tries by the scrumhalf Jandré Nel and the captain Thabang Mahalsi swung the momentum in the favour of the Shimlas to take a 18-12 lead at the half-time break.

The Shimlas scored 26 unanswered points in the second to secure the victory. The Shimlas flanker, Lourens Oosthuizen, scored a brace of seven-point tries for a second game in a row after the interval to start driving the finals nails in the coffin of Maties. This also earned the live-wire six flanker the man of the match accolade for a second week in a row.

Further tries by the winger Siviwe Zondani and the scrumhalf Chadd Adams ended any chance of the hosts winning the game.

The win did come at a heavy price for the Shimlas with the in-form and powerful centre, Jooste Nel, being ruled out for the semi-final after sustaining a concussion which also earned the flank, Matanda Siyabonga, a red card.

Because of Wits being unable to beat the NWU Eagles in Bloemfontein, the Maties managed to finish fourth in the standings, but they will travel to Potchefstroom to play in the semi-finals.

The Shimlas in their turn will host the UCT Ikeys at Shimla Park next week Monday with this semi-final kicking off at 17:00.

Maties 12 (12): Tries - Marcqiewn Titus, Waqar Solaan. Conv. - Jurie Matthee.

Shimlas 44 (18): Tries - Jandré Nel, Thabang Mahlasi, Lourens Oosthuizen (2), Siviwe Zondani, Chadd Adams. Conv. - Litha Nkula, Ethan Wentzel (3).

Morgan Piek OFM Sport