Battle for semifinal spots heating up in Varsity Shield

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ROUND FIVE WRAP: Varsity College and UWC roar at the top while SPU stole the show in the Varsity Shield.

It was a good day at the office for the top-of-the-log battle as Varsity College and UWC maintained their spots following wins over CPUT and UKZN, respectively, on Friday in Varsity Shield Round 5.

SPU snatched a late winner against UFH while Madibaz cruised past WSU at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.

UFH 33-39 SPU

Two tries from Jaiden Faviers saw the visitors break the hearts of University of Fort Hare fans to claim their second win of the campaign.

The first half saw both teams exchanging blow-by-blow as Liyabona Maplanga broke the deadlock for the Northern Cape-based side. It was then a close encounter in points scoring, and the first stanza ended with the visitors leading by 19-12.

The second half didn't disappoint as it continued to where the first stanza left off. Three tries were scored in the second half however Khanya Kama's boot made a difference in adding to the scoreline for the visitors. With one minute left before the final whistle, Faviers got his brace and handed the Gemmies the lead at the death as they sailed over the visitors for a smash-and-grab win.

The scorers

For UFH:
Tries: Majali Lakheni, Siyamthanda Sakhela, Bunono Jamani 2.

For SPU:
Tries: Liyabona Maplanga, Dwayne Lubbe, Jaiden Faviers 2, Leslie Ruiters.

Player that Rocks: Khanya Kama (SPU).

TEAMS: 
UFH: Elihle Mtshemla, Bunono Jamani (Captain), Liyabona Matyana, Mpho Ramahala, Kamvelile Gcweka, Dala Mgidi, Michael Mangava, Anda Simanga, Sinalo Jivana, Sakhela Siyamthanda, Okuhle Pangwa, Lakheni Majali, Takudzwa Rushiza, Lutho Mene, Ukho Nomsatha.

SPU: Aviwe Mpepo, Jan Potgieter, Cassie Botes, Tumelo Papane, Kwandokuhle Dlamini, Thando Shipalana, J J Fourie, Gareth Maree, Ethan Manus, Leslie Ruiters, Liyabona Maplanga, Khanya Kama (captain), Jaiden Faviers, Dwayne
Lubbe, Bokamoso Maphisa.

CPUT 17-40 Varsity College

Varsity College started strong, scoring four unanswered tries in the first half,with Thabo Njapha, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Benjamin Brett Field, and Edward Sigauke all crossing the line. Flyhalf Frederick Marx was clinical with the boot, converting three of them to give Varsity College a commanding 26-0 lead at halftime.

CPUT came out fighting in the second half, with Nkosephayo Ngema scoring early to get the team on the board. But Varsity College responded quickly, with Sigauke grabbing his second try and Marx adding the extras. CPUT's DenleymAdams and Oyintando Maseti kept the fight alive, both scoring crucial tries, but  Varsity College's Juan Orde Steyl sealed the game with another converted try. The full time score was 40 -17 to Varsity College.

Despite flashes of brilliance, CPUT's momentum was halted by two red cards, making a comeback even more difficult. The team showed heart but will need to regroup and sharpen their discipline for the next fixture.

The scorers:

For CPUT:
Tries: Nkosephavo; Ngema, Denley Adams, Oyintando Maseti.

For Varsity College:
Tries: Thabo Njapha, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Benjamin Brett Field, Edward Sigauke 2, Juan Orde Els.

Player that Rocks: Edward Sigauke (Varsity College).

TEAMS
CPUT: Nkosephayo Ngema, Lindisipho Lihle Kula, Kieran Delaan Naidoo,Ntsako Ashely Mhlanga, Keenan Benjamin, Odwa Rolosi, Lathitha Sange Ratsibe, Naaba Mveliao Nkonyeni, Denley Krid Adams, Jayson January, Ovintando Honour
Massti, Jesse-Owen Denation, Timothy Matthew Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Noah Pekeur, Keewan Titus.

Varsity College: Daniel Van Huizen, Thabo Niapha, Donell Francis, Reece Curtin, Garren Muller, Sinelifa Newana, Enzo Van Niekerk, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, MJ Schoeman,
Allston Cedras, Benjamin Brett Field.

WSU 14-36 Madibaz

The side from Gqeberha entered the clash brimming with confidence after stunning UWC in round four. Meanwhile, WSU defeated SPU on home soil in round four.

The first half was dominated by the hosts who displayed a high level of physicality and showcased their entertaining offloading game in wet and muddy conditions.

They scored two team tries through Jaden Witbooi and centre, Lwando Davane and both were converted by flyhalf, Raashied Conrad.

Conrad had slotted in a penalty earlier in the game, and that meant the visitors led 17-0 at halftime.

Madibaz were far from done and opened the second stanza with a five-pointer scored by Conrad.

Lock forward, Martinus Strydom quickly joined the scoring party after crashing over from a powerful rolling maul.

The hosts rang in the changes, and it paid dividends as Luvo Zindela and Axola Mtalana scored two consolation tries in the final 10 minutes.

Those were, however, cancelled out with another Witbooi try in the 79 th minute to secure a resounding 36-14 victory for his side.

The scorers:

For WSU:
Tries: Luvo Zindela, Axola Mtalana.

For Madibaz:
Tries: Jaden Witbooi 2, Bukho Pantsi, Raashied Conrad, Martinus Strydom.

Player that Rocks: Raashied Conrad (Madibaz)

TEAMS:
WSU: Yanda Ndamase, Sibulele Manyube, Yoyisa Mahobe, Sinentlahla Kesa, Siseko Mani, Khanya Solani, Pernell Mendes, Sipho Hobosch, Asenam Mniki, Isiphe Mbini, Sikho Gaushe, Elam Kusa, Axola Mtalana, Bulelani Nondlwana, Beon Hartnick.

Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Kyle Erasmus, AJ Flemming, Calvin Bosch, Martinus Strydom, Johan Van Zijl, Curwin Casper, Raashied Conrad, Bukho Pantsi, Lwando Davane, Edward Kruger (Captain), Jaden Witbooi, Layron Miborrow.

UWC 44-31 UKZN

That kept the nuggetty UKZN in the game who came to Cape Town with a never-say-die attitude. UKZN scored half the number of tries, four, but converted all their chances off the boot through the educated tee of fullback Siso France who also slotted an early penalty to stay within touching distance of UWC with only an eight point difference with 12 minutes to go.

But UWC showed their class, rumbling over two second half maul tries, which could easily have been three, as hooker Mihlali Tyanase grabbed a brace. Strong running inside centre Braydon Booysen and electric winger Leachim Adams scored two tries of their own as well UWC opened up an early 17-3 lead in the first half that UKZN had to climb back from.

UKZN clawed their way to a solid position, only seven points down at halftime at 24-17 but UWC's class showed in the second stanza.

The scorers

For UWC:
Tries: Leachim Adams 2, Braydon Booysen 2, Mihlali Tyanase 2, Conwill Conradie, Keno Alexander.

For UKZN:
Tries: Sikhona Ndulini 2, Jovawn Visagie, Mthomboyolo Buzani.

Player that Rocks: Logan Fortuin (UWC).

TEAMS
UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Mihlali Tyanase, Keanuh Michaels, Logan Fortuin, Michail Kasfikis Romauld (Captain) Nsombamanya, Nicholas Chipanje, Leighton Damon, Conwill Conradie, Leigh Braaf, Leachim Adams, Braydon Booysen, Bevan Simons, Hlomla Ncana, Keno Alexander, Keagan Pietersen, Franco Ceaser, Melumzi Mandongana, Danston Cloete, Ishmael Karriem, J'que Huckins, Keith Syster, Daniel Damons.

UKZN: Lonwabo Nkalitshana, Sikhona Ndulini, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Aphelele Dlamini, Mthomboyolo (Captain) Buzani, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Wela-Aphumelele Takata
Tinotenda Mazhindu, Milowo Matebese, Minehle Mfanelo Ngcamu, Luthando Mhlongo, Singele Mkhize, Jovawn Visagie, Ramatuku Sikhakhane, Siso France, Jordan Ramsamy, Siyanda Dlamini, Thabiso Ncube, Amahle Dlamini, Samkelo
Mkhize, Zak Smith, Hlumelo Madikane, Ntobeko Mhlongo.