FNB UWC have been the team to beat all season in the FNB Varsity Shield, and they proved exactly why when the log leaders ran out 45-31 victors over FNB Madibaz in Gqeberha. The halftime score was 26-7. Both teams will host the semi-finals next week.
The Capetonians now advance to the coveted Varsity Cup next year. For Madibaz, it’s not over as they will get another chance to win promotion to South Africa’s premier university competition in a match against the seventh-placed team in the Cup competition.
For most of the game, UWC dominated the scrums and mauls, freeing up the backs to run hard at the opposition.
Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie was outstanding at the base of the scrum, marshalling his troops beautifully while also scoring two tries himself. Conradie also had his kicking boots on, landing several conversions that ultimately proved vital in the context of the game.
A powerful forward display and quick handling were the undoings of Madibaz, though the second-placed Gqeberha outfit can certainly hold their heads high. Had they played with the fire they showed in the match's last 20 minutes, the result could have been very different.
FNB Madibaz 31 (7) – Tries: Keaton Olivier, Liyema Bobelo, Eddie Kruger, Kakalethu Bophi, Divan Fourie. Conversions: Kehan Myburg (3)
FNB UWC 45 (26) – Tries: Bolla Conradie (2), Romuald Nsombamanya, Zinzan Maderman, Carel van der Merwe, Mauritz Swart, Matthew Stephens. Conversions: Conradie (4), Ethan Diston (1)
Player That Rocks: Bolla Conradie (UWC)
FNB Madibaz: 15 Myburg Kehan, 14 Kruger Henry, 13 Franks Enrique Linley, 12 Delport Troy, 11 Khonza Kholiowe, 10 November Chadwyn Ronaldo, 9 Mavuso Mpumelelo, 8 Van der Merwe Leon, 7 Bobelo Alwaba Liyema, 6 Hlupheko Mzwakhe Kevin, 5 Kachungunu Christopher Cikuru, 4 Tokwe Umna, 3 Kuse Endinako, 2 Dladla Yolisa, 1 Nortje Marco.
FNB UWC: 15 Mynhardt Tasriq, 14 Ncana Hlomla, 13 Brynard Zhaun-Jacques, 12 Breda Bryan John, 11 Vraagom Will, 10 Willemse Elkan, 9 Conradie Conwill Brooklyn (Bolla), 8 Magerman Zinzan, 7 Moerat Bilaal, 6 Nsombamanya Romuald, 5 Van der Merwe Carel, 4 Tattersal Liam, 3 Van der Merwe Riaan, 2 Swart Mauritz, 1 Michaels Keanuh Cameron.
FNB CPUT 76 FNB RHODES 5
Third-placed FNB CPUT thrashed FNB Rhodes 76-5 in Bellville in the last round-robin match of the 2023 Varsity Shield.
Rhodes stunned Alastair Theys' men in the sixth minute when their nippy scrumhalf Nkosinathi Mvelase pinned his ears back and ghosted the defence for the first points. This would however be the visitors' only points for the entire match.
The reply from the two-time Varsity Shield champions was a devastating blow for Rhodes – five tries within 15 minutes through Hugan Engelbrecht, Jo-Neil Baron, Lindisipho Kula, Heinrico Hartogh, and Iwaan Bloys added their names to the try-scoring list. Linton Maritz converted four of his five attempts.
CPUT headed into halftime with a strong 33-5 lead.
A rampant second-half display of skill, speed, and precision was a step too far for Rhodes to contain. CPUT ran havoc, scoring twelve tries in total including a brace from Heinrico Hartogh. Maritz scored a try and converted seven of his ten attempts, taking his tally for the match to 19 points.
FNB CPUT 76 (33) – Tries: Heinrico Hartogh (2), Hugan Engelbrecht, Jo-Neil Baron, Lindisipho Kula, Iwaan Bloys, Stefan Eksteen, Ché Klaasen, Linton Maritz, Denley Adams, Revaldo Maurice, Shakes Shasha Conversions: Maritz (8)
FNB Rhodes 5 (5) – Try: Nkosinathi Mvelase
Player That Rocks: Cain Stadler (CPUT)
FNB CPUT: 15 Stadler Cain, 14 Hartogh Heinrico, 13 Bloys Iwaan, 12 Baron Jo-Neil, 11 Maritz Linton, 10 Kruger Wiehan, 9 Engelbrecht Hugan, 8 Adams Denley, 7 Haupt Leano, 6 Klaasen Ché Oliver, 5 Woji Lwando, 4 Lubheka Lungelo, 3 Naidoo Kieran, 2 Kula Lihle, 1 Benya Emihle.
FNB Rhodes: 15 Momberg Callum, 14 Roux Jano, 13 Mbanzi Simelela Vuso, 12 Ntshangase Lethu, 11 Sonanze Ethan, 10 Mabodla Siyolise, 9 Mvelase Nkosinathi, 8 Jodwana Lathi-Tha, 7 Mtsewu Uviwe, 6 Hermanus Jadé, 5 Jako Qhama, 4 Stofile Xhanti, 3 Ralo Sinolwazingekamvalakhle, 2 Tshongweni Lubabalo, 1 Nene Kwanele.
FNB UFH 37 FNB TUT 24
Defending champions FNB UFH left it till their last round-robin match of this year’s competition to secure their place in the semi-finals when they beat FNB TUT 37-24 in the Davidson Stadium.
The match started with UFH Blues on the front foot, as Ayabulela Xhosana scored the opening try for his team. A penalty by TUT’s Dieter Groenewald followed before Lukhanyiso Tosholwana added to the Blues' lead with a fantastic try in the 21st minute. Merlin du Plessis was successful with his second conversion.
Kamvelihle Fatyela then scored another try for the home team before TUT hit back with one by Josh Robinson. Xhosana crossed the try line for his second five-pointer just before halftime, and Du Plessis converted, giving UFH a commanding lead of 26-10 at the break.
In the second half, Du Plessis extended his team’s lead with a penalty and shortly afterwards Salusiwe Gxekwa went over for his try. Rowane Skosana and Jandre van Zyl scored tries for TUT in the 51st and 59th minutes, respectively, but UFH managed to hold on to their lead.
In the dying moments of the match, Du Plessis kicked in another penalty to seal a very important victory.
FNB UFH 37 (26) – Tries: Ayabulela Xhosana (2), Lukhanyiso Tosholwana, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Conversions: Merlin du Plessis (3). Penalties: Du Plessis (2)
FNB TUT 24 (10) – Tries: Josh Robinson, Rowane Skosana, Jandre van Zyl
Conversions: Dieter Groenewald (3). Penalties: Groenewald (1)
Player That Rocks: Ayabulela Xhosana (UFH)
FNB UFH: 15 Sidloyi Apiwe, 14 Mdladlana Lilitha, 13 Maree Ryan Kelly, 12 Baleni Yonela Sibusiso, 11 Gxekwa Salusiwe, 10 Du Plessis Merlin Ruwaan, 9 Madiba Lwazi, 8 Ngetu Zimi, 7 Gcweka Kamvelihle, 6 Totsholwana Lukhanyiso, 5 Nqotyana Cinga, 4 Xhosana Ayabulela, 3 Simani Buntu Ntlakanipho, 2 Fatyele Kamvelihle, 1 Nzima Mesuli.
FNB TUT: 15 Felix Jamie, 14 Langa Malcolm, 13 Maritz Mauritz, 12 Groenewald Dieter,
11 Robinson Joshua Sandile Robinson, 10 Koza Ayabulela, 9 Ndunakazi Buhlebuyeza, 8 Skosana Rowane Ntokoza, 6 Franse Danel Mark, 5 Turner Rianiel Andrew, 4 Mapungwana Nokutenda Albert, 3 Mokone Goabaona, 2 Van Zyl Zandre, 1 Nong Lawrence.
FNB WSU 38 FNB UKZN 19
FNB WSU came out victorious in the important KZN derby when they beat FNB UKZN 38-19 under cloudy skies in Durban. The halftime score was 21-7.
WSU drew first blood 10 minutes into the match through a quick counterattack that was finished off by Lukhangele Tshayi. The home side however wasted no time as they responded a few minutes later through an important try by captain Tino Mazindhu.
The visitors doubled their lead through Awonke Sondisha’s try. The All Blacks wrapped up the first 40 minutes with another try right before halftime, this time through a Liso Valisi finish.
UKZN tried to fight back as their captain bagged his brace for the night but WSU snuffed out any hope of a comeback as they ran in another try, a brace for Tshayi taking the score to 14-31 into the final 20 minutes of the match.
A WSU try by Thembalihle Njadu put the final nail in the coffin of their opponents who tried to stage an interesting end to the game when Trent Coetzee added his name to the scoresheet.
FNB UKZN 19 (3) – Tries: Tino Mazindhu (2), Trent Coetzee. Conversions: Jarred Nicholls (2)
FNB WSU 38 (5) – Tries: Lukhangele Tshayi (2), Awonke Sondishe, Liso Valisi, Thembalihle Njadu. Conversion: Maxwell Klaasen (5)
Player That Rocks: Maxwell Klaasen (WSU)
FNB UKZN: 15 Nicholalls Jarryd, 14 Zulu Zamakuhle, 13 Mkhize Singele, 12 Coetzee Trent, 11 Adendorf Devandre Sivuyiseni, 10 Kama Khanya Junior, 9 Cele Thando Sphesihle, 8 Mazhindu Tinotenda, 7 Fenske Wilhelm, 6 Bishop Merlyn, 4 Goliath Bevan, 5 Gumede Nkanyesi, 3 McArthur Jüan-Daniël, 2 Ndimande Siphosethu, 1 Maseko Benjamin.
FNB WSU: 15 Valisi Lisolethu, 14 Tshayi Lukhangele, 13 Sondishe Awonke,
12 Jali Lisolethu, 11 Zozi Simthembile, 10 Klaasen Maxwell Curtley, 9 Ngcetane Lithemba, 8 Tshatshu Ayabonga, 7 Fana Uyathandwa, 6 Mandes Pernell, 5 Tetani Kamva, 4 Mampunye Lutho, 3 Adonisi Sithembiso, 2 Mhlonyane Ovayo, 1 Spelt Ayabonga.
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