FNB NWU-Pukke scored the only try of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final deep in extra time to claim a dramatic 7-6 victory over FNB Maties and their first title.

FNB NWU-Pukke scored the only try of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International Final deep in extra time to claim a dramatic 7-6 victory over FNB Maties and their first title.

The hosts had seemed destined to claim their fourth title, but their resolute defence was finally breached following a relentless onslaught from the Potchefstroom outfit.

There were no points scored by either side in a tense first half, with defence coming out on top in front of a packed crowd at the Danie Craven Stadium.

Maties were struck a blow just before kick-off with flyhalf Ernst Stapelberg ruled out in the warm-up, and it was his replacement Chris Smith who would score all of their points.

Smith kicked two penalties in the second half to give the Maties a 6-0 lead, but missed another shot at goal and also put a drop-goal wide.

With time running out Maties seemed to have the game, and a first title since 2010, in hand. However, the NW-Pukke refused to give in and surged deep into opposition territory.

The visitors seemed to have snatched victory in the corner following a well-weighted grubber from fullback Rhyno Smith, but the TMO ruled that the ball had been lost forward.

Despite that setback, the NWU-Pukke continued to apply pressure through a series of powerful scrums, which eventually resulted in two Maties yellow cards, bringing them down to just 13 men.

The Potchefstroom side refused to give in and eventually forced the ball over the line, with the resulting conversion from Smith in the 90th minutes sealing an emotional victory in the end.