The opening round of FNB Varsity Shield saw newcomers Varsity College make a statement with a shut out win over the TUT Vikings while former Cup champions FNB Tuks started slowly and then overpowered UFH in Alice. Here's the matchday wrap.
FNB WSU 35 – 21 FNB UKZN
FNB WSU used their home-ground advantage at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium to get a solid victory over FNB UKZN. After leading 21-11 at halftime, they added 14 more points to walk away with the maximum.
WSU would draw first blood after 15 minutes thanks to a classic rolling maul converted try by hooker, Mangaliso Zixesha. UKZN would quickly hit back with a penalty converted by UKZN flyhalf Minentle Mfanelo Ngcamu-Ngcamu before the All Blacks scored again through another converted try by captain, Awonke Sondishe.
Zixesha would get his brace in the 27th minute from a lineout maul, but the UKZN forward pack would also prove immense as Wela-Aphumelele Mnata Takata, crossed the whitewash thanks to a ferocious rolling maul in the 33rd minute.
The home team would add another try to their tally as speedy fullback Lukhangele Tshayi cantered under the posts following a sweeping move from the All Blacks backline. Following a red card for a dangerous tackle by WSU eight man, UKZN immediately took full advantage as they hit back in the 58th minute with a try by Tinotenda Mazhindu.
The topsy-turvy affair would continue as All Blacks right winger Simthembile Zozi crossed the whitewash once again to take the score to 35 – 16 before a desperate break by UKZN would see the visitors score the last try of the match to see the score finish at 35 – 21 on the night.
SCORERS:
FNB WSU 35 (21) - Tries: Mangaliso Zixesha (2); Awonke Sondishe; Lukhangele Tshayi; Simthembile Zozi. Conversions & Penalties Maxwell Klaasen
FNB UKZN 21 (11) - Tries: Wela Takata; Tinotenda Mazhindu; Singele Mkhize. Penalties & Converstions: Minentle Ncamu
FNB Player That Rocks: Mangaliso Zixesha (FNB WSU)
TEAMS:
FNB WSU: Sinethemba Zwelonke, Mangaliso Zixesha, Ayabonga Spelt, Lutho Mampunye, Kamva Tetani, Khanya Solani, Hlomla Mihlali Payi, Esethu Zenani, Esenam Mniki, Maxwell Klaasen, Bulelani Amyoli Nondlwana, Hlumelo Zitha, Awonke Sondishe, Simthembile Zozi, Lukhangele Tshayi.
FNB UKZN: Mumbo Nzama, Qhawe Nxumalo, Ulrich Walker, Mthomboyolo Buzani, Nhlakanipho Mathonsi, Wilhelm Fenske, Wela Takata, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Smith, Minenhle Ngcamu, Kwandile Mthethwa, Russell Fick, Singele Mkhize, Ntobeko Mhlongo, Cham Zondeki.
FNB UFH 0 - 36 FNB UP-Tuks
In a commanding display, FNB Tuks dominated the encounter against FNB UFH, securing a comprehensive 36-0 victory. The Pretoria-based team wasted no time making their mark as they opened their Varsity Shield account in the 9th min with Keane Galant blazing past the home sides’ backline to get the ball rolling. The visitors scored their second try in the 30th minute with a fantastic inside out by Hilton Gie and the score line remained that way at the break with UFH unable to find a way through.
The second half saw Tuks maintain their momentum with hooker Allister Williams picking up a brace from the back of aggressive mauls. With a bonus point in the bag the Stripe Generation showed no signs of letting up as Ethan Burger crossed the line from a scrum at close range, securing the team's fifth try.
The former FNB Varsity Cup champions showcased their authority and skill, shutting out FNB UFH with a dazzling second-half display to begin their campaign with a convincing away win.
SCORERS:
FNB UFH 0 (0) - Tries: None
FNB UP-Tuks 36 (14) - Tries: Keane Galant, Hilton Gie, Allister Noel Williams (2), Ethan Burger
FNB Player That Rocks: Kamohelo Tlome (FNB Tuks)
TEAMS:
FNB UFH:
Mesuli Nzima, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Mbasa Babele, Mpho Ramahala, Cinga Nqotyana, Anda Simanga, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Sinalo Jivana, Apiwe Sidloyi, Okuhle Pangwa, Lakheni Majali, Ryan Maree, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Cyril Mphatsoe, Bunono Jamani, Buhlebethu September, Bulela Magopeni, Liyema Tonjeni, Chulumanco Boya, Cwenga Makwati, Lukhanyo Ntontela, Sibusiso Javu
FNB UP-Tuks: Ethan Burger, Allister Williams, Dian Coetzee, Johannes Marè, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Hilton Gie, Marco Venter, Chad-Lee Valentine, Jean-Pierre Wentzel, Nqubeko Mkwanazi, Keane Galant, Zander Reynders, Bayanda Ngubane, Tharquinn Manuel, Henry Till, Bambolunye Dlamini, Jacobus Louw, Cayno February, Jonathan Smit, Daimon O’Connell, Kyle Cyster, Kobus Janse van Rensburg.
FNB CPUT 7 - 21 FNB Madibaz
A clinical and all-around disciplined performance by FNB Madibaz saw them edge FNB CPUT, 7-21, in the opening round of the FNB Varsity Shield in Bellville.
The Cape side were at disadvantage early on when hooker, Lihle Kula, got red carded for a dangerous tackle in the opening quarter of the match.
Kehan Myburgh brought his kicking boots and slotted four of his five first-half attempts at goal. He converted Kyle Erasmus' 15th minute try, which handed Madibaz a 0-13 lead as the halftime approached. The sides headed into the sheds following a third penalty conversion with the visitors firmly in the lead, 0-16.
CPUT came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, Timothy Shortles scored the home side's first and what proved to be only try of the encounter. Myburgh added to kicking success by scoring his side's second try taking his tally to 16 points and extended the Madibaz lead. Despite concerted efforts, the two-time Varsity Shield champions could not penetrate the Madibaz's defensive resolve as they picked up an important away 7-21 victory against the formidable CPUT.
SCORERS:
FNB CPUT 7 (0) – Try: Timothy Shortles Conversion: Oyintando Maseti
FNB Madibaz 21 (16) – Tries: Kyle Erasmus, Kehan Myburgh Conversion: Myburgh Penalties: Myburgh (3)
FNB Player That Rocks: Kehan Myburgh (FNB Madibaz)
TEAMS:
FNB CPUT:
Emihle Benya, Lihle Kula, Kieran Naidoo, Lwando Woji, Keanan Rolosi, Duke Somila Shasha, Lungelo Kubheka, Ayabulela Zono, Jayson January, Oyintando Maseti, Keenan Williams, Timothy Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Linton Maritz, Keewan Titus, Kéran Valentyn, Nkosephayo Ngema, Milokuhle Ntusikazi, Ntsako Mhlanga, Lathitha Ratsibe, Armondo Hoogbaard, Wiehan Kruger, Danielle Padiachy
FNB Madibaz: Endinako Kuse, Kyle Erasmus, S'bulelo Roji, Dewald Gerber, Christopher Kachungunu, Mzwakhe Hlupheko, Alwaba Bobelo, Leon van der Merwe, Mpumelelo Mavuso, Raashied Conrad, Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, Troy Delport, Lwando Davane, Kehan Myburgh, Henry Kruger, Tlhalefo Moleko, Imibongo Mvuleni, Andries Flemming, De Wet Goedhals, Mekyle Solomon, Marthinus Strydom, Bryce Collins, Janco van der Walt.
FNB Varsity College 27 – 0 FNB TUT
FNB Varsity college announced their arrival into the FNB Varsity Shield with a strong performance on their first game ever in the competition. The first 10 minutes of the game began tight with both sides have got nothing to show an physicality being the order of the game.
FNB Varsity College drew first blood 14 minutes into the game after a strong maul in the far corner was finished off by Jacques Marais. The home side continued their dominance as Marais completed his brace right before the first strategy break to make it 10-0. Fly-half Frederick Marx failing to convert both tries.
The Comets extended their lead following a sweet chip from flyhalf Marx for centre MacMillan Mudara to dot down in the corner. It was rinse and repeat when Marx chipped again and once more Mudara was on the receiving end. Marx redeemed himself and successfully converted both kicks taking the home side 24-0 into the break.
10 minutes into the second half it was Frederick Marx once again on the scoreboard as he slotted a beautiful drop goal from around the middle of the park stretching the home teams lead to 27 to nothing from the away side.
SCORERS:
FNB Varsity College 27 (24) - Tries: Jacques du-toit Marais (2), MacMillan Mudara (2)
FNB TUT 0 (0) - Tries: None
FNB Player That Rocks: Frederick Marx (FNB Varsity College)
TEAMS:
FNB Varsity College:
Daniel Van Huizen, Jacques Marais, Sonwabo Maseko, Garren Müller, Werner Coetzee, Juan Steyl, Enzo Van Niekerk, Mandisi Nkutha, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Michael Ngwenya, Macmillian Mudara, Philani Khoza, Mbasa Nkonki.
FNB TUT:
Lawrence Nong, Jandre van Zyl, Mxolisi Nzama, Lwazi Dlamini, Clinton Ngomane, Knowledge Chaira, Lutho Tom, Athenkosi Jack, Olwethu Prence, Jamie Felix, Josh Robinson, Mauritz Maritz, Sipho Malaza, Vuyani Vanqa, Ayabonga Zakwe, Lungelo Mvelase, Phathutshedzo Sidimela, Makhosana Mashele, Thato Mopedi, Kgomotso Maribana, Buhlebuyeza Ndunakazi, Mihlali Bam, Shandon Botha
