For the second week in a row, FNB UP-Tuks swept past their opponents when they thoroughly beat FNB UKZN in round five of the 2024 FNB Varsity Shield competition. FNB Madibaz had no problems in an away fixture against FNB TUT and FNB Varsity College won comfortably against FNB CPUT at home. In the Eastern Cape, FNB WSU won the battle of the neighbours against FNB UFH.
FNB UP-TUKS 69 – 3 FNB UKZN
FNB UP-Tuks are on a roll with their second runaway victory in succession. Last week it was debutants FNB Varsity College and this time it was FNB UKZN at the receiving end of a 69-3 drubbing at the Howard College Stadium in Durban.
The man of the moment was hooker Henry Till who was deservedly named the FNB Player That Rocks after crashing over the try line no less than four times.
Till and Walter Visser combined for the first 14 points on the board for the Stripe Generation before Kyle Cyster trashed his way through the Impi defence to add his name to the growing list of try scorers.
Ill-disciplined play by UKZN captain Tino Mazindhu led to a penalty try for the visitors.
Another try by Till, contributions by Marco Venter and Tharquinn Thane Manuel in this department and a Visser penalty brought the half-time score to 52-0.
In the second 40 minutes, the flow stemmed somewhat but not before Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Bayanda Ngubane and that man Till once again crossed the whitewash.
A lone Khanya Kama penalty late in the match meant that UKZN avoided a zero on the scoreboard.
SCORERS
FNB UP-Tuks 69 (52) – Tries: Henry Till (4), Kyle Cyster, Penalty Try, Marco Venter, Tharquinn Thane Manuel, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Bayanda Ngubane. Conversions: Walter Visser (7). Penalties: Walter Visser.
FNB UKZN 3 (0) – Penalties: Khanya Kama
FNB Player That Rocks: Henry Till (FNB UP-Tuks)
FNB UP-TUKS: Bambolunye Samkelo Dlamini, Henry Edwin Till, Jacobus Johan Louw, Cayno Douglas February, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Haydn Scott Kemp, Dillon Shane Smith, Daimon O’Connell, Walter Visser, Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, Tharquinn Thane Manuel, Bayanda Ngubane Ngubane, Kyle Edward Cyster.
FNB UKZN: Benjamin Maseko, Qhawe Praiseworthy Ndabezinhle Nxumalo, Ulrich Cameron Walker, Wilhelm Fenske, Mumbo Nzama Nzama, Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, Kwandile Mthethwa, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Richard Smith, Khanya Junior Kama, Zamakuhle Zulu, Russell Adrian Fick, Singele Mkhize, Jarryd Nicholls, Cham Zondeki.
FNB MADIBAZ 29 – FNB TUT 7
FNB Madibaz kept their unblemished record with a convincing 29-7 victory over FNB TUT in Pretoria. The half-time score was 26-0.
It was the visitors from the Eastern Cape who drew the first blood when Kyle Erasmus dotted down from a driving maul inside the first 10 minutes.
TUT were looking to strike back immediately and went all the way to the try line three times. The Pretoria however fell short on each occasion. Madibaz on the other hand continued their dominance in the set pieces and were awarded with a penalty try when TUT prop Lawrence Nong infringed the maul.
Erasmus then powered over to complete his brace. Kehan Myburgh made no mistake from the tee and the Madibaz continued to build on a healthy lead.
TUT’s first chance for points in the second half fell short when flyhalf Mihlali Bam failed to boot over a penalty. They also kept losing possession with their handling not up to par.
At one point the home side was reduced to 14 men when Knowledge Chaira was sent to the sin bin.
TUT kept knocking and were finally rewarded with a consolidation try in the dying minutes of the second half when Vuyani Vanga flew over the try line with Luke van Aardt converting to end the game.
SCORERS
FNB Madibaz 29 (26) – Tries: Kyle Erasmus (2), Penalty Try, Christopher Kachungunu. Conversions: Kehan Myburgh (2). Penalty: Kehan Myburgh.
FNB TUT 7 (0) – Tries: Vuyani Vanga. Conversion: Luke van Aardt.
FNB Player That Rocks: Leon van der Merwe (FNB Madibaz)
FNB Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Kyle Erasmus, Andries Johannes Flemming, Marthinus Strydom, Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, Leon van der Merwe, Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, Raashied Conrad, Henry Edward Frederick Kruger, Janco Albert van der Walt, Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, Qurin Cupido, Kehan Myburgh.
FNB TUT: Mxolisi Innocent Nzama, Jandre van Zyl, Lawrence Nong, Lwazi Lwandile Dlamini, Thato Mopedi, Knowledge Chaira, Lutho Luxolo Tom, Kgomotso Samuel Chuene Maribana, Buhlebuyeza Sthandwa Tebogo Ndunakazi, Mihlali Sipho Bam, Vuyani Vanqa, Josh Sandile Robinson Robinson, Sean-B Kagiso Tshego, Khotso Segale, Mauritz Maritz.
FNB VARSITY COLLEGE 38 – 23 FNB CPUT
FNB Varsity College are continuing with their impressive debut season when they beat FNB CPUT 38-23 at the IIE Varsity College in Durban.
It was the visitors however who were first to score when Keenan Williams took advantage of the bounce of the ball to score the first of his two tries. Keewan Titus was unsuccessful with the conversion.
A quick sprint from Macmillian Mudara played a massive role and made it easy for Varsity College captain AB Mthembu to finish off taking the score line to 7-5 as Frederick Marx converted successfully.
Marx and Juan Steyl then added their names to the scoreboard with Marx also adding two conversions. In between the two Varsity College tries, Titus slotted a penalty for CPUT from 20 meters out taking the score to 21-8 for the home side.
The two sides then traded more tries with Williams scoring his brace for CPUT and Johan Viljoen crossing over for Varsity College’s bonus point. The home team led 26-13 at half-time.
Coming back from the break, Steyl secured his brace as Marx converted successfully taking the score to 33-13.
CPUT staged a comeback late in the match with back-to-back tries from Kieran Naidoo and Wehan Kruger.
Viljoen however put down any thoughts of a come-from-behind win from the visitors when he went over for his second try for Varsity College and sealed an important victory with the play-offs looming.
SCORERS
FNB Varsity College 38 (26) – Tries: Abande Mthembu, Juan Steyl (2), Frederick Marx, Johan Viljoen (2). Conversions: Frederick Marx (4).
FNB CPUT 23 (13) – Tries: Keenan Williams (2), Keirnan Naidoo, Wehan Kruger. Penalty: Keewan Titus.
FNB Player That Rocks: MacMillan Mudara (FNB Varsity College)
FNB Varsity College: Sonwabo Simthembile Maseko, Jacques Theron du Toit Marais, Siyabonga Luyanda Dube, Garren Müller, Werner Johan Coetzee, Michael Jonathan Horak, Sinelifa Mmangaliso Ncwana, Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mpumelelo Mthembu, Frederick Nicolaas Marx, Mbasa Nkonki, Luke Christopher Horak, Macmillian Zvikomborero Mudara, Sivuyisiwe Mpendu, Tshegofatso Ramaloko.
FNB CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya, Lihle Lindisipho Kula, Kieran Delaan Naidoo, Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, Lwando Woji, Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, Duke Somila Shasha, Ayabulela Zono, Jayson January, Keewan Titus, Keenan Williams, Timothy Matthew Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Danielle Israel Padiachy, Keene Munnick.
FNB WSU 29 – 5 FNB UFH
FNB WSU snapped a three-game losing streak when they beat arch-rivals FNB UFH 29-5 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdanstsane. The half-time score was 17-5.
The hosts started on a high note when they took an early lead in the eighth minute thanks to a storming try by inside centre Hlumelo Zitha. He would quickly turn villain however following a dangerous tackle straight from the kick-off following his try.
A little dink by All-Black flyhalf Maxwell Curtley Klaasen four minutes later saw WSU fullback Beon Fernell Hartnick finish off a well-executed move that emanated from a line-out close to the opposition try line.
The Fort Hare Blues, through left-wing speedster Hlumelo Pangwa, scored a try of their own in the corner in the 28th minute to see the visitors restore some dignity.
One of WSU’s most impressive players of the season, Mangaliso Zixesha, would open his account with a quintessential hooker try after finishing off a rolling maul.
Yet another enthralling backline try by WSU would see Hartnick cross the whitewash for his second try increasing the lead to 24 – 5 just after the players returned to the field following the half-time break.
Zixesha added his second try following a rolling maul in the 56th minute.
SCORERS
FNB WSU 29 (17) – Tries: Mangaliso Zixesha (2), Beon Fernell Hartnick (2), Hlumelo Zitha.
Conversions: Maxwell Curtley Klaasen
FNB UFH 5 (5) – Tries: Hlumolo Pangwan.
FNB Player That Rocks: Khanya Solani (FNB WSU)
FNB WSU: Ayabonga Masivuye Spelt, Mangaliso Zixesha, Sinethemba Zwelonke, Kamva Tetani, Lutho Mampunye, Khanya Solani, Pernell Mervian Mandes, Esethu Zenani, Esenam Mniki, Maxwell Curtley Klaasen, Achumile Sikho Gaushe, Hlumelo Zitha, Awonke Sondishe, Bulelani Amyoli Nondlwana, Beon Frendel Hartnick.
FNB UFH: Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Bulela Magopeni, Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, Cinga Nqotyana, Anda Simanga, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Sinalo Jivana, Apiwe Sidloyi, Okuhle Pangwa, Ryan Kelly Maree, Lakheni Majali, Bulumko Mfundisi, Cyril Mphatsoe.
