Only one point separates the top three teams on the 2024 Varsity Shield log after round three with FNB UP-Tuks, debutants FNB Varsity College and FNB Madibaz the only unbeaten teams in the competition. At the bottom of the log, FNB CPUT registered their first win of the season.
FNB MADIBAZ 31 – 6 FNB UFH
FNB Madibaz made it three out of three when they beat Eastern Cape neighbours FNB UFH 31-6 in Gqeberha.
The Alice-based team were however the ones that came out the gate like men possessed and even though they were playing against the wind, managed to put the Madibaz under huge pressure.
Flyhalf Aphiwe Sidloyi was on song with the boot to kick two penalties that signalled the visitors were here to play.
Madibaz started to find their rhythm after UFH’s opening salvo and a succession of penalties by wing Kehan Myburgh gave them a slender 9-6 lead at the half-time break.
The second half proved to be a completely different story, much to UFH’s disappointment as playing the full 80 minutes was something they had talked up during the week.
From the moment Madibaz hooker Kyle Erasmus crossed the whitewash minutes after the break there was only one side in it. The cohesion they had lacked in the first half came flooding back, resulting in three more tries through Leon van der Merwe, Lwando Davane and Andries Fleming. UFH simply had no answer and suffered their third successive loss.
SCORERS
FNB Madibaz 31 (9) - Tries: Kyle Erasmus, Leon van der Merwe, Lwando Davane, Andries Fleming. Conversions: Kehan Myburgh. Penalties: Kehan Myburgh (3).
FNB UFH 6 (6) – Penalties: Apiwe Sidloyi (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Troy Delport (FNB Madibaz)
FNB Madibaz: Endinako Kuse, Kyle Erasmus, Andries Johannes Flemming, Dewald Gerber, Mekyle Recodin Solomon, Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, De Wet Goedhals, Leon van der Merwe, Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, Raashied Conrad, Kehan Myburgh, Troy Delport, Lwando Davane, Qurin Cupido, Bryce Sven Collins.
FNB UFH: Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, Bunono Jamani, Bulela Magopeni, Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, Cinga Nqotyana, Anda Simanga, Chulumanco Boya, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Sinalo Jivana, Apiwe Sidloyi, Okuhle Pangwa, Ryan Kelly Maree, Lakheni Majali, Bulumko Mfundisi, Cyril Mphatsoe.
FNB VARSITY COLLEGE 28 – 6 FNB UKZN
FNB Varsity College continued to impress in their debut season when they scored a well-deserved 28-6 victory over FNB UKZN in the first-ever all-KZN derby at the Howard College Stadium.
It was the Impis however who started strongly when Siso France slotted an early penalty following some good pressure on the opposition. The back-and-forth contest continued in the first 15 minutes with UKZN coming out on top.
Shortly before the first strategy break, Varsity College finally broke the deadlock when Jacques Marais scored his try from a line-out close to the line. Frederick Marx successfully converted.
The momentum then shifted even further in Varsity College’s direction when Sonwabo Maseko scored a hard-fought try under the poles that was initiated by their forwards. Marx had no trouble in adding the extra two points to take his team to a 14-6 half-time lead.
After the break, it was all Varsity College with no response from UKZN. First, it was Luke Horak who made a good steal and made it to the white line. A try by Dylan Beukes added the bonus point. Marx converted both second-half tries.
SCORERS:
FNB Varsity College 28 (14) – Tries: Jacques Marais, Sonwabo Maseko, Luke Horak, Dylan Beukes. Conversions: Frederick Marx (4).
FNB UKZN 6 (6) – Penalties: Siso France (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Juan Steyl (FNB Varsity College)
FNB Varsity College: Sonwabo Simthembile Maseko, Jacques Theron du Toit Marais, Siyabonga Luyanda Dube, Robert Anton Everson, Werner Johan Coetzee, Juan Orde Steyl, Enzo Leo van Niekerk, Mandisi Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Abande Mpumelelo Mthembu, Frederick Nicolaas Marx, Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Michael Ayibongwe Ngwenya, Macmillian Zvikomborero Mudara, Mbasa Nkonki, Luke Christopher Horak.
FNB UKZN: Benjamin Maseko, Sikhona Cebolenkosi Ndulini, Ulrich Cameron Walker, Wilhelm Fenske, Nhlakanipho Ntando Hleloluhle Mathonsi, Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Siphesihle Dlamini, Thando Sphesihle Cele, Siso France, Ntobeko Mhlongo, Singele Mkhize, Russell Adrian Fick, Thato Tshepang Matsoso, Cham Zondeki.
FNB UP-TUKS 41 – 17 FNB WSU
FNB UP-Tuks are well on their way to getting back to where they want to be following a comprehensive 41-17 victory over FNB WSU at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium. The former FNB Varsity Cup champions are now at the top of the log.
The match kicked off with a blistering start for Tuks, as tighthead prop Jacobus Johan Louw crossed the whitewash within the first four minutes. The conversion was successful, setting the tone for Tuks' early dominance. However, the WSU All Blacks quickly rallied back, securing a penalty through the precise boot of flyhalf Isiphe Mbini.
Tuks continued to assert their authority, doubling their try tally before the strategy break with lock Jannes Mare making his mark. The Stripe Generation extended their lead with an additional try just before half-time, courtesy of eight-man Marco Venter. As the teams headed into the break, Tuks held a commanding 21-3 lead.
The second half saw WSU opening the scoring, as hooker Mangaliso Zixesha added his name to the scoresheet from a rolling maul. Winger Simthembile Zozi further fuelled the comeback, intercepting and galloping almost 80 meters to score under the posts, narrowing the gap to just four points.
However, Tuks responded with resilience, as substitute flanker Dillon Shane Smith's try and a penalty try following scrum issues for WSU added crucial points to the Stripe Generation's lead. In the dying moments of the game, flanker Hilton Gie secured their sixth try, sealing a comprehensive victory.
SCORERS:
FNB UP-Tuks 41 (21) – Tries: Jacobus Louw, Johannes Marè, Marco Venter, Dillon Shane Smith, (penalty try), Hilton Gie. Conversions: Jean-Pierre Wentzel (4).
FNB WSU 17 (3) – Tries: Mangaliso Zixesha, Simthembile Zozi. Conversions: Isiphe Mbindi (2). Penalties: Isipe Mbini.
FNB Player That Rocks: Marco Venter (FNB UP-Tuks)
FNB WSU: Sinethemba Zwelonke, Mangaliso Zixesha, Ayabonga Masivuye Spelt, Kamva Tetani, Hlomla Mihlali Payi, Khanya Solani, Pernell Mervian Mandes, Esethu Zenani, Esenam Mniki, Isipe Leo Mbini, Bulelani Amyoli Nondlwana, Hlumelo Zitha, Awonke Sondishe, Simthembile Zozi, Lukhangele Tshayi.
FNB UP-Tuks: Bambolunye Samkelo Dlamini, Henry Edwin Till, Jacobus Johan Louw, Johannes Wilhelmus Marè, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Hilton Gie, Marco Venter, Chad-Lee Valentine, Jean-Pierre Wentzel, Bayanda Ngubane Ngubane, Keane Romaine Galant, Zander Reynders, Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, Tharquinn Thane Manuel.
FNB CPUT 15 – 13 FNB TUT
A clinical opening half by FNB CPUT helped them edge past FNB TUT 15-13 at home in Cape Town to claim their first win in this year’s Varsity Shield.
The two-time champions are in a serious rebuilding phase and CPUT capitalised on their territory and possession, running in a brilliant first-half try courtesy of Iwaan Bloys handing them a halftime score of 7-3.
Despite a host of errors by both sides, it was CPUT who came out tops with a very disciplined display of determination and skills. Telling runs by Keenan Williams, Ayabulela Zono, and Keewan Titus meant that the possession favoured the home side.
The home side dominated the scrums and with this advantage, it was Oyintando Maseti who darted through two would-be TUT defenders for his side’s second try.
A late surge in the 72nd minute by TUT saw Kgomotso Maribana gather the ball at the back of a rolling maul to dive over. This was followed up with a second TUT try when Josh Robinson went over handing the visitors the lead for the first time, 12-13.
It was, however, not to be the fairy tale come-from-behind win for TUT as Linton Maritz slotted a 79th-minute penalty for a 15-13 CPUT victory.
SCORERS:
FNB CPUT 15 (7) – Tries: Iwaan Bloys, Oyintando Maseti. Conversions: Oyintando Maseti. Penalties: Linton Maritz.
FNB TUT 13 (3) – Tries: Kgomotso Maribana, Josh Robinson. Penalties. Mauritz Maritz.
FNB Player That Rocks: Oyintando Maseti (FNB CPUT)
FNB CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya, Kéran Jayson Valentyn, Kieran Delaan Naidoo, Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, Duke Somila Shasha, Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, Ayabulela Zono, Jayson January, Oyintando Honour Maseti, Keenan Williams, Timothy Matthew Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Danielle Israel Padiachy, Keewan Titus.
FNB TUT: Mxolisi Innocent Nzama, Jandre van Zyl, Lawrence Nong, Lwazi Lwandile Dlamini, Clinton Mbusowenkosi Ngomane, Knowledge Chaira, Lutho Luxolo Tom, Kgomotso Samuel Chuene Maribana, Buhlebuyeza Sthandwa Tebogo Ndunakazi, Mihlali Sipho Bam, Sipho Jnr S’thembiso Malaza, Josh Sandile Robinson, Mauritz Maritz, Vuyani Vanqa, Ayabonga Thokozani Zakwe.
