Madibaz confidence not shaken
FNB NMMU might have suffered a home defeat in Monday's Varsity Cup Round One action - going down 26-16 to the FNB NWU-Pukke - but there is no sign of panic in Port Elizabeth ahead of Round Two's action.
The NWU-Pukke proved to be the better team on the night - even though the FNB NMMU Madibaz put up a brave fight.
The first half was clearly dominated by the NWU-Pukke squad who spread the ball with ease and looked to play a running game throughout.
They scored all their (26) points to secure the win in the first half. However, the second half was conquered by NMMU when they closed the gap from 26-8 to 26-16 - thanks largely to outside centre Quinton Crocker's try.
Brent Janse van Rensburg, the NMMU Madibaz head coach, would obviously have preferred an opening-day win... but the result (and, in particular, their second-half comeback) proved that they would be competitive in 2012.
Looking ahead to Monday's second round of action - which will see them travel to Bloemfontein to take on the high-riding FNB Shimlas - the Men from PE will focus on reducing their error rate, improving their discipline and keeping the ball for longer.
The Madibaz will not have home ground advantage on Monday but Janse van Rensburg reckons it's a case of "embracing that you're playing away", and "not thinking about it too much and getting on with it".
Janse van Rensburg added: "The game stays the same no matter where you play."
By Jeanré Muller
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