Wits dominate CPUT in Varsity Shield Round 4

Round four of the FNB Varsity Shield delivered thrilling action across the country, with FNB UKZN securing a hard-fought away victory in an intense clash at Davidson Stadium. The Caracals powered past FNB SPU in a rain-soaked encounter at the UWC Sports Stadium and in Gqeberha, FNB Madibaz held their nerve to edge an in-form Walter Sisulul University in a highly entertaining and closely contested battle. Log leaders FNB Wits produced a dominant performance to demolish FNB CPUT in a high-scoring encounter in Johannesburg.

FNB UFH 10-20 FNB UKZN

The match between the FNB UFH and the FNB UKZN at Davidson Stadium in Alice kicked off with high intensity, as both teams displayed strong determination from the first whistle on Thursday.

IMPI opened the scoring early in the match. In the sixth minute, Eloko Kayekeze crossed the try line following a powerful driving maul that demonstrated the visitors’ strength. Shortly afterwards, FNB UKZN capitalised on a powerplay opportunity as Lian Lochner scored their second try to extend the lead.

The hosts had early chances to gain momentum but were unable to capitalise on a few mistakes from the visitors. Despite this, the home side produced solid defensive efforts with some important tackles.

In the 29th minute, FNB UKZN added their third try through Mzwandile Khawula after a well-worked attacking move. However, when UKZN took another PowerPlay, UFH turned the situation to their advantage. Nkuzangwe Mila collected the ball inside his own 22-metre area, broke through the defence and sprinted down the wing to score a brilliant try for the home side.

The home side continued to build momentum and later found their second try through Bunono Jamani, who powered through the defence to score. At half-time, UKZN held a narrow 15-10 lead.

The second half became more tactical as both teams tried to avoid costly mistakes. In the 63rd minute, UFH were reduced to fourteen players when Iminathi Macoli received a yellow card, but the home side continued to defend with determination.

FNB UKZN eventually sealed the match in the final minute when Tusani Zondo finished off a quick attacking move to score the final try as the visitors secured a hard-fought victory despite a spirited performance from the home side.

FNB UWC 42-17 FNB SPU

FNB UWC produced a dominant performance to defeat FNB SPU in their FNB Varsity Shield Round 4 clash at the UWC Sports Stadium in Bellville on Friday, overcoming wet conditions to secure a convincing home victory.

The match started in rainy conditions and was briefly halted in the third minute due to an injury to an SPU player, who required medical attention. Shortly after play resumed, FNB UWC struck first. Scrumhalf Fra-Neeco Baron dotted down from a powerful rolling maul in the sixth minute, with Aaron Swartz adding the conversion to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The home side continued to pile on the pressure and captain Danston Cloete crossed the line in the 18th minute after sustained attacking phases. Just a minute later, Leachim Adams added another try during the PowerPlay to extend their advantage.

The home side’s momentum continued as Juma Amisi finished in the corner following a loose passage of play from FNB SPU. The visitors struggled to contain UWC’s attack and their frustration showed when centre Liam Harmse received a yellow card for fighting in the 27th minute.

FNB SPU managed to respond with a try from Ntokozo Ndwalane through a rolling maul but FNB UWC quickly hit back despite being temporarily reduced to 14 players when lock Melumzi Mandongana was sin binned. Swartz crossed for UWC’s fifth try and converted his own score to give the hosts a commanding 29-5 lead at half-time.

The visitors showed improved attacking intent in the second half, with Jaiden Faviers slicing through the FNB UWC defence for a converted try before winger Raees Sahabodien added another. However, Swartz completed his brace, and Divan Pieters slotted a penalty before Marciano Forbes sealed the win with a late try.

FNB UWC finished with seven tries to SPU’s three to secure an impressive victory.

FNB MADIBAZ 40-32 FNB WSU

It took a massive effort by FNB Madibaz to see off FNB WSU’s spirited challenge in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.

FNB WSU have a bit of X-factor about them this season and it showed. So often the home side looked like they had this one sewn up but the visitors kept coming.

Jaden Witbooi opened Madibaz’s account by crossing the line in the 13th minute and, after opting for the tap, lock Luan Verster showed immense power in brushing off defenders to earn his side’s second five-pointer of the day.

Madibaz hooker Kyle Erasmus, whose love affair with the tryline is well-known in the Varsity Shield, added another five to the score when he caught a long ball out wide and went over.

Fellow front-rower AJ Flemming got on the scoresheet nine minutes later after a classic rolling maul by Madibaz’s pack.

At that stage, the men from Mandela University looked impenetrable. But there is no such word in the WSU dictionary.

They produced an impressive maul of their own in the corner to put Mangaliso Zixesha in for the first of his two tries of the afternoon.

When Madibaz hit back almost immediately through a Dewald Gerber try, some in the crowd might have thought that was that as far as the WSU challenge was concerned.

Then the visitors’ X-factor started to come into play.

FNB Madibaz seemed to tire and FNB WSU capitalised. Lock Khanaye Mbakaza bulldozed over for the All Blacks before they caught the home side napping, quickly opting for the tap and spreading it wide for centre Bulelani Nondlwana to score in the corner.

That man Erasmus was on the scoresheet again on the stroke of half-time, giving FNB Madibaz a heathy lead at the break.

It was WSU who made all the running when the whistle blew for the second half, getting plenty of front-foot ball. Zixesha is unstoppable close to the line and he proved so again to bring up his brace.

From that point, Madibaz played it far safer. Flyhalf Layron Milborrow landed some vital penalties to keep the scoreboard ticking over in their favour.

With 10 minutes left, WSU threw everything at the home side and the strategy paid off.

A try a-piece for Inathinkosi Mhlakazi and Ahlule Zokoza put huge pressure on Madibaz in the dying moments but they managed to hold on and move into second on the log.

FNB Wits 66-22 FNB CPUT

FNB Wits delivered an emphatic attacking display to defeat FNB CPUT in Johannesburg, running in a string of tries to secure a commanding victory in front of their home crowd.

The hosts made the perfect start, opening the scoring in the seventh minute when sustained pressure forced CPUT into infringing on their try line. The referee awarded a penalty try and issued a yellow card to the visitors, giving Wits an early 7-0 lead and a numerical advantage. Wits quickly capitalised. After a patient multi-phase attack, the ball was sent wide for winger Dustin Holmes to finish in the corner. Opting for the tap-and-go approach, the home side piled on further pressure and added another try soon after to stretch their lead to 17-0.

CPUT managed to respond through Jacquin Jacobus in the 17th minute, who crossed for the visitors’ first points. However, Wits remained in control for the remainder of the half and added a penalty goal to head into the break with a comfortable 20-5 advantage.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Wits continued to apply relentless pressure. Marco Kok crossed early in the half before Holmes secured his brace in the corner following another quick tap, extending the lead to 30-5. Although CPUT fought back through a driving maul finished by hooker Lindosipho Kula and later another try from substitute Chris Phillips, the home side consistently had the answers.

Captain Latica Nel sparked another attacking move that resulted in Christopher Kachungunu scoring in the corner, and from there Wits took full control of the contest. Substitute forward Dutton added another try before Lindani Dweba showcased impressive pace to finish out wide.

Kachungunu then stole the spotlight in the closing stages, powering over for his second before completing a memorable hat-trick with a clever kick-and-chase to push the scoreline further out of reach. CPUT had the final say when substitute scrumhalf Clyde Frieslaar crossed late for their bonus-point try.

Despite that late consolation, it was Wits’ relentless attacking pressure and clinical finishing that proved decisive, as the home side produced a powerful performance to seal a comprehensive victory.