With one round to go in the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition, the teams for playoffs have now been decided. FNB UP-Tuks thrashed FNB TUT in the penultimate round-robin matches while FNB Madibaz survived a late comeback by FNB Varsity College. FNB WSU sneaked past FNB CPUT and FNB UFH scored a comfortable victory over FNB UKZN.
FNB UP-TUKS 81 – 10 FNB TUT
Log leaders FNB UP-Tuks ran riot against FNB TUT at the Tuks Stadium, beating their Tswhane neighbours 81-10.
The Stripe Generation wasted no time in claiming their territory as they went 12 points just ten minutes into the match. Ruan van Blommestein dotted down and then fed Cayno February for Tuks’ second try of the evening.
It was clear early on that it would be a long night for the Vikings when Tuks Ethan Burger and Kyle Cyster also registered their names on the scoreboard. Bayanda Ngubane and Kobus Janse van Rensburg joined the party adding their names among the try scorers. Walter Visser easily converted three and Chad-Lee Valentine also added his sharp boot in the mix to hand Tuks a healthy 38-0 lead at the interval.
The home team picked up where they left off when the players returned to the field for the second half with two powerful mauls as Marco Venter dotted down before Van Blommestein completed his brace. Back-to-back tries from Cyster secured his hat-trick earning him the FNB Player That Rocks accolade.
The party was not over as Tuks continued to pile pressure on their neighbours with tries by substitutes Samkelo Myeni, and Henry Till and a second for Ngubane.
The visitors only got to visit Tuks’ 22 territory three times and finally got consolation points with a penalty from Aswen Rademeyer followed by a try from Lwazi Dlamini.
SCORERS
FNB UP-Tuks 81 (38) – Tries: Ruan van Blommestein (2), Cayno February, Ethan Burger, Kyle Cyster (3), Bayanda Ngubane (2), Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, Marco Venter, Samkelo Myeni, Henry Till. Conversions: Walter Visser (2), Chad-Lee Valentine, Jean-Pierre Wentzel (4).
FNB TUT 10 (0) – Tries: Lwazi Dlamini. Conversions: Aswen Rademeyer. Penalty: Aswen Rademeyer.
FNB Player That Rocks: Kyle Cyster (FNB UP-Tuks)
FNB UP-Tuks: Ethan Lance Burger, Ruan Van Blommestein, Jayd Morne Austin, Johannes Wilhelmus Mare, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Cayno Douglas February, Marco Venter, Chad-Lee Valentine, Walter Visser, Odwa Kenny Moletsane, Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, Tharquinn Thane Manuel, Bayanda Sinele Ngubane, Kyle Edward Cyster.
FNB TUT: Mxolisi Nzama, Jandre Van Zyl, Lawrence Nong, Lwazi Dlamini, Thato Mopedi, Knowledge Chaira, Ajay Lottering, Kgomotso Maribana, Olwethu Prence, Ayabonga Zakwe, Vuyani Vanqa, Dwayne Zeeland, Sean-B Kagiso Tshego, Junior Malaza, Mauritz Maritz.
FNB MADIBAZ 25 – 19 FNB VARSITY COLLEGE
Second versus third on the log was always going to produce some fireworks and, while the game was scrappy at times, it was not short of explosive moments. In the end, FNB Madibaz managed to hold on for a 25-19 victory over FNB Varsity College at the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha. The half-time score was 18-5.
The home team gained the ascendancy early on in both halves and this ultimately proved the difference between the two sides. Their defence was particularly impressive near their goal line while they also made the most of their attacks inside their opponents’ 22.
Kehan Myburgh had his kicking boots on all afternoon, landing some sensational penalties and conversions to keep the Nelson Mandela Bay students ahead.
Varsity College, playing in their first Varsity Shield season, has already gained a reputation for never giving up and they were no different in this match.
They refused to lie down in the face of scoreboard pressure and were rewarded for their efforts with some memorable forward tries, albeit too late to claim the victory.
SCORERS
FNB Madibaz 25 (18) – Tries: Qurin Cupido, Kyle Erasmus, Mpumelelo Mavuso. Conversions: Kehan Myburgh (2). Penalties: Kehan Myburgh (2).
FNB Varsity College 19 (5) – Tries: Jacques Marais (2), Nathi Ntuli. Conversions: Frederick Marx, Luke Horak.
FNB Player That Rocks: Leon van der Merwe (FNB Madibaz)
FNB Madibaz: Endinako Kuse, Kyle Erasmus, Sbulelo Roji, Marthinus Johannes Strydom, Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, Leon van der Merwe, Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, Rashied Conrad, Henry Edward Frederick Kruger, Troy Delport, Enrique Franks, Qurin Cupido, Kehan Myburgh.
FNB Varsity College: Daniel Van Huizen, Jacques Marais, Siyabonga Dube, Garren Müller, Werner Coetzee, Juan Steyl, Enzo Van Niekerk, Mandisi Nkutha, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Macmillian Mudara, Mbasa Nkonki, Sivuyisiwe Mpendu, Tshegofatso Ramaloko.
FNB WSU 23 – 19 FNB CPUT
FNB WSU consolidated their fourth position on the log after they edged FNB CPUT 23-19 in Bellville. The scores were tied 12-all at the half-time break.
An early first-half onslaught from the home side saw them holding most of the ball and playing most of the rugby deep inside WSU territory, resulting in Keenan Williams powering across the try line for the first score of the match.
Ntsako Mhlanga then dove across at full length from close range after being denied earlier. Keewan Titus succeeded with the conversion attempt. This handed CPUT a 12-point lead heading into the final five minutes of the opening half.
WSU levelled matters through tries from Maxwell Klaasen and Asisipho Jim with Klaasen converting one.
The opening minutes of the second half belonged to WSU’s defensive resolve which meant CPUT had to work hard to get any points. It eventually came when Ayabulela Zono dove across the try line from a ruck that formed just metres under the crossbar. Jayson January added the extras.
A penalty and an unconverted try by Klaasen, which completed his brace, handed WSU a one-point lead as the final quarter of the match approached. He slotted another one to seal the victory with four minutes left on the clock.
SCORERS
FNB WSU 23 (12) – Tries: Maxwell Klaasen (2), Asisipho Jim. Conversion: Klaasen Penalties: Klaasen (2)
FNB CPUT 19 (12) – Tries: Keenan Williams, Ntsako Mhlanga, Ayabulela Zono. Conversions: Keewan Titus, Jayson January.
FNB Player That Rocks: Maxwell Andrews (FNB WSU)
TEAMS
FNB WSU: Sinethemba Zwelonke, Yandisa Myokwana, Ayabonga Spelt, Lutho Mampunye, Kamva Tetani, Khanya Solani, Pernell Mandes, Esethu Zenani, Esenam Mniki, Maxwell Klaasen, Bulelani Nondlwana, Hlumelo Zitha, Awonke Sondishe, Asisipho Jim, Beon Frendel Hartnick.
FNB CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya, Lihle Lindisipho Kula, Kieran Delaan Naidoo, Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, Lwando Woji, Duke Somila Shasha, Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, Ayabulela Zono, Jayson January, Keewan Titus, Keenan Williams, Wiehan Kruger, Iwaan Bloys, Danielle Israel Padiachy, Keene Munnick.
FNB UFH 30 – 10 FNB UKZN
FNB UFH managed to claim their second victory of the season when they beat FNB UKZN 30-10 at the Davidson Stadium in Alice.
It was a high-intensity encounter from the outset with UKZN initially relying on their pace. The home team then found their rhythm, testing their opponents’ defence with relentless pressure. The visitors however were the first to score with a penalty by flyhalf Khanya Kama.
UFH's dominance began to show when captain and hooker Kamvelihle Fatyela scored two tries in the space of ten minutes through their powerful driving mall. The half-time score was 10-3.
UFH continued their momentum in the second half with Okuhle Pangwa and Salisiwe Gekwa adding tries, showcasing skilful play and quick hands. Lakheni Majali also contributed with a try, demonstrating strength and pace. Despite UFH's failure to convert any conversions, they maintained control of the game.
UKZN attempted a comeback through a try by Wela-Aphumile Mnata Takata, but UFH's quick follow-up play secured their final try by Cyril Mphatsoe, sealing the victory.
SCORERS
FNB UFH 30 (10) - Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela (2), Okuhle Pangwa, Salisiwe Gekwa, Lakheni Majali, Cyril Mphatsoe.
FNB UKZN 10 (3) - Tries: Wela-Aphumile Mnata Takata. Conversion: Khanya Kama. Penalty: Khanya Kama.
FNB Player That Rocks: Kamvelihle Fatyela (FNB UKZN)
TEAMS
FNB UFH: Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Bulela Magopeni, Cinga Nqotyana, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Anda Simanga, Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, Yanga Gazi, Sinalo Jivana, Apiwe Sidloyi, Okuhle Pangwa, Ryan Kelly Maree, Lakheni Majali, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Cyril Mphatsoe.
FNB UKZN: Benjamin Maseko, Sikhona Ndulini, Ulrich Cameron Walker, Mthomboyolo Buzani, Nhlakanipho Ntando Hleloluhle Mathonsi, Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Amahle Dlamini, Thando Sphesihle Cele, Khanya Junior Kama, Thato Tshepang Matsoso, Siso France, Singele Mihlayenkosi Mkhize, Jarryd Nicholls, Cham Zondeki.
