The Eagles beat the five-time champions 19-10 after leading 7-3 at half-time at the Fanie du Toit Sportsgrounds.

Tino Swanepoel opened the scoring nine minutes into the second semi-final, while Zinedine Robinson added the extra two with the conversion.

The flyhalf, Jurie Matthee, got the Maties on the board in the first half with a drop-goal.

In the second stanza, Swanepoel, crossed the tryline to complete his brace, while Robinson once again managed to land the conversion.

The Maties struck back in the physical battle with a try by Aydon Topley following a lineout maul and Matthee had no trouble in converting the try.

With ten minutes to play Marco van Rhyn was set to the sin-bin and the host took advantage of the one man extra on the park with Jandré de Beer crossing for a try which also came after a lineout maul. This sealed the deal for the Eagles.

The Eagles will face the UCT Ikeys in the final on Monday after the team from Cape Town managed to thrash the UFS Shimlas 65-30 at Shimla Park during the first semi-final.

The Eagles only defeat of the season was against the very same Maties in Potchefstroom during the round-robin games.

Monday’s big final in Potchefstroom will kick-off at 19:00.

Eagles: Tries - Tino Swanepoel 2, Jandré de Beer Conv. - Zinedine Robinson 2.

Maties: Try - Aydon Topley Conv. - Jurie Matthee Drop goal - Matthee.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport