Cape sides remain unbeaten in Varsity Shield
Today at 03:32 AM
ROUND THREE WRAP: In a dramatic showdown at a rain-soaked Kimberley Stadium, Varsity College came back from 0-21 down to beat hosts SPU while CPUT maintained their unbeaten run in the tournament, easing past WSU at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Friday.
UWC also remained undefeated and stayed top of the log after thrashing UFH in Bellville, while Madibaz and Varsity College won on the road.
WSU 20-34 CPUT
CPUT maintained their unbeaten run in the Varsity Shield tournament after defeating WSU 34-20 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.
CPUT entered the clash on the back of a nervy 22-20 win over Sol Plaatje in round two in Kimberly.
Facing a tough and hostile crowd, they began the match slowly but asserted their dominance after the 20-minute mark.
The Cape Town side scored three tries courtesy of Nkosephayo Ngema, Sandile Madonsela, and Jacquin Jacobus. WSU, meanwhile, managed one score by Khanya Solani and a penalty by flyhalf Isiphe Mbini.
The two sides went into the break with CPUT leading 22-8.
It was a tightly contested second stanza with both sides applying pressure and playing some Champagne rugby.
CPUT were, however, the more clinical side in the second 40. They scored two great team tries by Ngema and Jacobus who both secured their braces.
Try as they may, WSU never managed to get a foothold in the game.
They scored two consolation tries when Solani crashed over after a line break for his second.
The final 10 minutes of the match produced just one try as CPUT claimed a hard fought 34-20 victory.
Scorers:
WSU:
Tries: Khanya Solani (x2). Asenam Mniki.
CPUT:
Tries: Nkosephayo Ngema (x2), Jacquin Jacobus (x2), Sandile Madonsela.
Player That Rocks: Nkosephayo Ngema (CPUT).
Teams:
WSU: Yanda Ndamase, Mangaliso Zixesha, Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Hlomla Payi, Khanya Solani, Qhayiya Makhalima, Sipho Hobosch, Asenam Mniki, Isiphe Mbini, Sikho Gaushe, Glen-Lihn Tromp, Bulelani Nondlwana, Asisipho Jim, Beon Hartnick.
CPUT: Nkosephayo Sbusiso Ngema, Lihle Kula, Kieran Naidoo, Ntsako Mhlanga, Keanan Rolosi, Preveen Padayachiey, Lathitha Ratsibe, Andrew John Williams Jayson January, Oyintando Maseti, Sandile Madonsela, Philasande Ngcobo, Jacquin Jacobus, Noah Matthew Pekeur, Keewan Titus.
UWC 38-13 UFH
UWC scored three converted tries in the second half to overcome UFH 38-13 at home in Bellville and maintain their unbeaten run in the Varsity Shield this season.
It was a tight first half with the boot of UFH scrumhalf Sinalo Jivana keeping the away side in the match with two fantastic long-range efforts to help his side to 13 points after winger Bulumko Mfundisi opened the scoring for UFH.
But Jivana's second penalty, in the 26th minute, was the last point of the match for the away side. UWC scored three first-half tries of their own but flyhalf Aaron Swart was less accurate with the boot, allowing UFH to keep things close.
But UWC came out firing in the second half with loose forward Nicholas Chipanje and scrumhalf Conwill Conradie going over for close-range tries.
The try of the match came with 13 minutes to go when UWC decided to run from a five-metre lineout. A couple of aggressive runs from their hard-working forwards saw them eat metres up before the backs got involved to take play over the halfway line.
Fast delivery at the ruck by player of the match Conradie and backs and forwards interplaying saw loose forward Leighton Damon gallop 30 metres and go over for his team's sixth try of the match, securing a third straight win for UWC.
Scorers:
UWC:
Tries: Keith Syster, Danston Cloete, Leachim Adams, Nicholas Chipanje, Conwill Conradie, Leighton Damon.
UFH:
Tries: Bulumko Mfundisi.
Player That Rocks: Conwill Conradie (UWC).
Teams:
UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Mihlali Tyanase, Keanuh Michaels, Melumzi Mandongana Logan Fortuin, Romauld Nsombamanya, Nicholas Chipanje, Danston Cloete, Conwill Conradie, Aaron Swartz, Leachim Adams, Braydon Booysen, J'que Huckins, Keith Syster, Elkan Willemse.
UFH: Liyabona Matyana, Bunono Jamani, Mbasa Babele, Liyema Hlitane, Kamvelile Gcweka, Dala Mgidi, Mpho Ramahala, Anda Simanga, Sinalo Jivana, Sakhela Siyamthanda, Bulumko Mfundisi, Lisolethu Jali, Takudzwa Rushiza, Lutho Mene, Ukho Nomsatha.
UKZN 13-21 Madibaz
Wet conditions were the order of the day when UKZN battled against Madibaz on the other part of KZN sides home ground in Pietermaritzburg.
It took the away team three minutes for them to get the first try in, Goedhals De Wet finishing off a move from the away team after applying constant early pressure which finally paid off. Fly-half Caleb Friskins did not waste the opportunity to add a further two points for his team as his conversion was good.
Both teams wrestled against each other, as both defenses were tested, however, the score remained the same in the first strategy break with the away team having the advantage.
In the same phase as the first quarter, the away team again took another step forward with a successful Friskins' converted try. Sean Van Zyl capitalised on a UKZN slip and intercepted from halfway off running all the way to dotting down over the whitewash.
The score at the halftime was 14-0 to the away team.
The second half came as both teams continued to test each other on strength and speed, with the home team looking on the better side.
The IMPI pressure finally paid off as young fly-half Siso France gave his team some points from two penalty kicks that he made no mistake with, taking the score to 6-14 into the second strategy break.
The last 20 minutes were the most entertaining as UKZN looked dangerous. Siso France finally made the pressure count, five minutes from time to take the scoreboard to 13-14 with a try he converted himself.
It was the best player in the field who silenced the home crowd with a last-minute Raashied Conrad converted try, taking it home for the away team.
Scorers:
UKZN:
Tries: Siso France
Madibaz:
Tries: Goedhals De Wet, Sean Van Zyl, Leon Van De Merwe.
Player That Rocks: Leon van der Merwe ( Madibaz)
Teams:
UKZN: Siyanda Dlamini, Sikhona Ndulini, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Samkelo Mkhize, Aphelele Dlamini, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Mthomboyolo Buzani ©, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Smith, Siso France, Luthando Mhlongo, Russel Fick, Singele Mkhize, Somanga Jho, Jovawn Visagie.
Madibaz: Chulumanco Limana, Kyle Erasmus, AJ Flemming, Calvin Bosch, De Wet Goedhals, Johan van Zyl, Sean Van Zijl Leon van der Merwe, Cameron Doyle, Caleb Friskin, Emihle Zaza, Lwando Davane, Edward Kruger, Mvelo Fipaza, Layron Millborrow.
SPU 36-43 Varsity College
A rain-soaked Suzuki Stadium witnessed a thrilling 11 try encounter between hosts SPU and the Varsity College Comets. The home side came out guns blazing scoring three quick tries through Jaiden Faviers, Jan Potgieter and Stephan Du Toit before the first strategy break.
The visitors looked visibly flustered, but a try by Jaque Marias was the catalyst for an epic comeback that saw the Comets equalise at 21 a piece as Gemmies kicking maestro Khanya Kama put the locals 3 points clear at the break.
The second half was an end-to-end battle that saw Edward Sigauke pick up his brace and the Comets take the lead in the 68th minute.
SPU clawed their way back into the game and were trailing by just 3 points with 4 min remaining.
The Durban North outfit who finished runners-up last season had the final say when Chandler Green scored at the death to give the Comets a well deserved win.
Scorers:
SPU:
Tries: Jan Potgieter, Ethan Manus, Stephan du Toit, Jaiden Faviers, Bokamoso Maphisa
Varsity College:
Tries: Jaques Marais, Mambo Mkhize, Edward Sigauke 2, Chandler Green, Bradley Moroney
Player That Rocks: Jacque Marias (Varsity College)
Teams:
SPU: Jan Potgieter, Juandre le Roux, Kwandokuhle Dlamini, Tumelo Papane, Thando Shipalana, JJ Fourie, Gareth Maree, Ethan Manus, Khaya Kama ©, Raees Sahabodien, Stephan du Toit, Jaiden Faviers, Liyabona Maplanga, Bokamoso Maphisa, Tryon China.
Varsity College: Okuhlekodwa Meyiwa, Jaques Marais, Daniel van Huizen, Robert Everson, Reese Curtin, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Enzo van Niekerk, Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Mambo Mkhize, Anwill Prins, Edward Sigauke, Chandler Green.
