FNB CPUT 36 – 21 FNB UFH
In a repeat of last year's FNB Varsity Shield final, FNB CPUT avenged their final-minute defeat when they beat defending champions FNB UFH36-21 at CPUT Sports Stadium. The home side trailed 10-13 at halftime.
Both sides set up brilliant and creative attacking playin the opening ten minutes, but the defending opened the scoring courtesy of the boot of Merlin du Plessis. The flyhalf slotted two penalties in succession before CPUT's George Ryan pulled one back.
A series of disciplined and relentless attacks started from inside their half allowing UFH to score the first try when Bantu Simani crashed over from close range.
The first try for the home side sent the home crowd into a frenzy when Anenceba Salman muscled his way across the opponents’ try line.
After a stern halftime speech from the CPUT coaches, the home side came out firing on all cylinders. The result was three tries in the opening 20 minutes, including a penalty try.
A try apiece for both sides late in the second half kept a jovial and joyous crowd entertained for the full 80 minutes.
The skill and attacking prowess of CPUT wing Heinrico Hartogh got his side over the advantage line at a few crucial moments throughout the match. His spatial awareness coupled with his lightning speed proved to be a deadly combination.
FNB CPUT 36 (10) – Tries: Penalty Try, Anenceba Salman, Keanan Solomons, Dwayne Atkins, Oyitando Maseti. Conversions: Ryan George (3) Penalty: George (1).
FNB UFH Blues 21 (13) – Tries: Bantu Simani, Mziyabulela Bathu. Conversion: Merlin du Plessis (1). Penalties: Du Plessis (3)
FNB Player That Rocks: Oyitando Maseti (FNB CPUT)
FNB TUT 0 – 31 FNB UWC
Not even a home-ground advantage at the TUT Stadium and last week’s victory over FNB Rhodes could prevent FNB TUT from an agonising 0-31 defeat at the hands of FNB UWC.
The visitors bullied the Pretoria-based team from the get-go with winger Will Vraagom crossing the try-line within five minutes after a strong scrum in the middle of the field.
Hooker Mauritz Swart added his name to the score sheet in the 11th minute before he completed his brace with a cheeky run in the opposition’s 22. Conwill Conradie added two conversions for a comfortable half-time lead of 19-0.
UWC picked up where they left off when Elkan Willemse slipped through the TUT defence and offloaded to Conradie who crossed over for the fourth try of the day.
The visitors closed off their Pretoria party with Ramauld Nsombamanya’s try in the 73rd minute.
FNB TUT: 0
FNB UWC: 31 (19) – Tries: Will Vraagom, Mauritz Swart (2), Conwill Conradie, Ramauld Nsombamanya. Conversions: Conwill Conradie (3)
Player That Rocks: Conwill Conradie (FNB UWC)
FNB RHODES 17 – 33 FNB UKZN
FNB UKZN got their first taste of victory in 2023 when they beat FNB Rhodes 33-17 at the Rhodes Great Field.
The home side started the stronger of the two teams and was rewarded with two penalties in the opening 10 minutes but failed to capitalize as both kicks went wide of the poles. Callum Momberg however managed to put over their third penalty of the night as the team from Makhanda opened the scoring.
UKZN soon found their rhythm when Ntlankanipho Mathonsi and Jarred Nicholls went over in quick succession after well-worked moves to put the visitors 14-3 in front at the half-time interval.
And then it was the turn of outside centre Trent Coetzee who dotted down twice in the space of 15 minutes to open a 23-point margin.
Rhodes added a consolation try in the 79th minute through Samkelo Maisela after a 10-phase move.
FNB Rhodes 17 (3) – Tries: Bradley Garth van Heerden, Samkelo Maisela. Conversions: Callum Momberg (2). Penalties: Momberg (1).
FNB UKZN 33 (14) – Tries: Ntlankanipho Mathonsi, Jarred Nicholls, Trent Coetzee (2), Zamokuhle Zulu. Conversions: Jarred Nicholls (4).
FNB Player That Rocks: Russel Fick (FNB UKZN)
FNB WSU 12 – 34 FNB Madibaz
FNB Madibas reigned supreme over FNB WSU All blacks to claim a dominant 34-12 victory at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
Great teamwork from Madibaz after a lineout and subsequent maul resulted in a try for Kyle Erasmus that was converted by Ronaldo November. It wasn’t long before Kevin Hlupheko crossed the try-line to put the visitors further in front.
The hosts increased their intensity and were rewarded with their first try when Ovayo Mhlonyana dotted down, with Valisi Lisolethu slotting the conversion. Lithemba Ngcetane’s try for WSU reduced the deficit at half-time to three points (12-15).
In the last 40 minutes, Madibaz pressed on towards an impressive away victory with tries by Umna Tokwe and two tries by Dladla Yolisa.
FNB WSU 12 (12) – Tries: Ovayo Mhlonyana; Lithemba Ngcetane. Conversions: Valisi Lisolethu (1).
FNB Madibaz 34 (15) – Tries: Dladla Yolisa (2); Kyle Erasmus; Kevin Hlupheko; Umna Tokwe.
Conversions: Ronaldo November (3). Penalties: November (1).
FNB Player That Rocks: Dladla Yolisa (FNB Madibaz)
