Tuks & Madibaz book home semifinals
ROUND SIX WRAP: With one round to go in the 2024 Varsity Shield competition, the teams for play-offs have now been decided.
UP-Tuks thrashed TUT in the penultimate round-robin matches, while Madibaz survived a late comeback by Varsity College.
WSU sneaked past CPUT and UFH scored a comfortable victory over UKZN.
UP-TUKS 81-10 TUT
Log leaders UP-Tuks ran riot against TUT at the Tuks Stadium, beating their Tswhane neighbours 81-10.
The Stripe Generation wasted no time in claiming their territory as they went 12 points just 10 minutes into the match. Ruan van Blommestein dotted down and then fed Cayno February for Tuks’ second try of the evening.
It was clear early on that it would be a long night for the Vikings when Tuks Ethan Burger and Kyle Cyster also registered their names on the scoreboard. Bayanda Ngubane and Kobus Janse van Rensburg joined the party adding their names among the try scorers.
Walter Visser easily converted three and Chad-Lee Valentine also added his sharp boot in the mix to hand Tuks a healthy 38-0 lead at the interval.
The home team picked up where they left off when the players returned to the field for the second half with two powerful mauls as Marco Venter dotted down before Van Blommestein completed his brace. Back-to-back tries from Cyster secured his hat-trick earning him the Player That Rocks accolade.
The party was not over as Tuks continued to pile pressure on their neighbours with tries by substitutes Samkelo Myeni, and Henry Till and a second for Ngubane.
The visitors only got to visit Tuks’ 22 territory three times and finally got consolation points with a penalty from Aswen Rademeyer followed by a try from Lwazi Dlamini.
SCORERS
For UP-Tuks
Tries: Ruan van Blommestein 2, Cayno February, Ethan Burger, Kyle Cyster 3, Bayanda Ngubane 2, Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, Marco Venter, Samkelo Myeni, Henry Till
Cons: Walter Visser 2, Chad-Lee Valentine, Jean-Pierre Wentzel 4
For TUT
Try: Lwazi Dlamini
Con: Aswen Rademeyer
Pen: Aswen Rademeyer
Player That Rocks: Kyle Cyster (UP-Tuks)
Teams
UP-Tuks: 15 Kyle Edward Cyster, 14 Bayanda Sinele Ngubane, 13 Tharquinn Thane Manuel, 12 Kobus Janse Van Rensburg, 11 Odwa Kenny Moletsane, 10 Walter Visser, 9 Chad-Lee Valentine, 8 Marco Venter, 7 Cayno Douglas February, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 Roald Hattingh, 4 Johannes Wilhelmus Mare, 3 Jayd Morne Austin, 2 Ruan Van Blommestein, 1 Ethan Lance Burger.
TUT: 15 Mauritz Maritz, 14 Junior Malaza, 13 Sean-B Kagiso Tshego, 12 Dwayne Zeeland, 11 Vuyani Vanqa, 10 Ayabonga Zakwe, 9 Olwethu Prence, 8 Kgomotso Maribana, 7 Ajay Lottering, 6 Knowledge Chaira, 5 Thato Mopedi, 4 Lwazi Dlamini, 3 Lawrence Nong, 2 Jandre Van Zyl, 1 Mxolisi Nzama.
MADIBAZ 25-19 VARSITY COLLEGE
Second versus third on the log was always going to produce some fireworks and, while the game was scrappy at times, it was not short of explosive moments. In the end, Madibaz managed to hold on for a 25-19 victory over Varsity College at the Madibaz Stadium in Gqeberha. The half-time score was 18-5.
The home team gained the ascendancy early on in both halves and this ultimately proved the difference between the two sides. Their defence was particularly impressive near their goal-line while they also made the most of their attacks inside their opponents’ 22.
Kehan Myburgh had his kicking boots on all afternoon, landing some sensational penalties and conversions to keep the Nelson Mandela Bay students ahead.
Varsity College, playing in their first Varsity Shield season, has already gained a reputation for never giving up and they were no different in this match.
They refused to lie down in the face of scoreboard pressure and were rewarded for their efforts with some memorable forward tries, albeit too late to claim the victory.
SCORERS
For Madibaz
Tries: Qurin Cupido, Kyle Erasmus, Mpumelelo Mavuso
Cons: Kehan Myburgh 2
Pens: Kehan Myburgh 2
For Varsity College
Tries: Jacques Marais 2, Nathi Ntuli
Cons: Frederick Marx, Luke Horak
Player That Rocks: Leon van der Merwe (Madibaz)
Teams
Madibaz: 15 Kehan Myburgh, 14 Qurin Cupido, 13 Enrique Franks, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Henry Edward Frederick Kruger, 10 Rashied Conrad, 9 Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 7 Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, 6 Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, 5 Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, 4 Marthinus Johannes Strydom, 3 Sbulelo Roji, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 1 Endinako Kuse.
Varsity College: 15 Tshegofatso Ramaloko, 14 Sivuyisiwe Mpendu, 13 Mbasa Nkonki, 12 Macmillian Mudara, 11 Nkazimulo Mzolo, 10 Frederick Marx, 9 Abande Mthembu, 8 Mandisi Nkutha, 7 Enzo Van Niekerk, 6 Juan Steyl, 5 Werner Coetzee, 4 Garren Müller, 3 Siyabonga Dube, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Daniel Van Huizen.
WSU 23-19 CPUT
WSU consolidated their fourth position on the log after they edged CPUT 23-19 in Bellville. The scores were tied 12-all at the half-time break.
An early first-half onslaught from the home side saw them holding most of the ball and playing most of the rugby deep inside WSU territory, resulting in Keenan Williams powering across the try line for the first score of the match.
Ntsako Mhlanga then dove across at full length from close range after being denied earlier. Keewan Titus succeeded with the conversion attempt. This handed CPUT a 12-point lead heading into the final five minutes of the opening half.
WSU levelled matters through tries from Maxwell Klaasen and Asisipho Jim with Klaasen converting one.
The opening minutes of the second half belonged to WSU’s defensive resolve which meant CPUT had to work hard to get any points. It eventually came when Ayabulela Zono dove across the try line from a ruck that formed just metres under the crossbar. Jayson January added the extras.
A penalty and an unconverted try by Klaasen, which completed his brace, handed WSU a one-point lead as the final quarter of the match approached. He slotted another one to seal the victory with four minutes left on the clock.
SCORERS
For WSU ‘
Tries: Maxwell Klaasen 2, Asisipho Jim
Cons: Klaasen
Pens: Klaasen 2
For CPUT
Tries: Keenan Williams, Ntsako Mhlanga, Ayabulela Zono
Cons: Keewan Titus, Jayson January
Player That Rocks: Maxwell Andrews (WSU)
TEAMS
WSU: 15 Beon Frendel Hartnick, 14 Asisipho Jim, 13 Awonke Sondishe, 12 Hlumelo Zitha, 11 Bulelani Nondlwana, 10 Maxwell Klaasen, 9 Esenam Mniki, 8 Esethu Zenani, 7 Pernell Mandes, 6 Khanya Solani, 5 Kamva Tetani, 4 Lutho Mampunye, 3 Ayabonga Spelt, 2 Yandisa Myokwana, 1 Sinethemba Zwelonke.
CPUT: 15 Keene Munnick, 14 Danielle Israel Padiachy, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 12 Wiehan Kruger, 11 Keenan Williams, 10 Keewan Titus, 9 Jayson January, 8 Ayabulela Zono, 7 Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, 6 Duke Somila Shasha, 5 Lwando Woji, 4 Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 2 Lihle Lindisipho Kula, 1 Emihle Akho Benya.
UFH 30-10 UKZN
UFH managed to claim their second victory of the season when they beat UKZN 30-10 at the Davidson Stadium in Alice.
It was a high-intensity encounter from the outset with UKZN initially relying on their pace. The home team then found their rhythm, testing their opponents’ defence with relentless pressure. The visitors however were the first to score with a penalty by flyhalf Khanya Kama.
UFH’s dominance began to show when captain and hooker Kamvelihle Fatyela scored two tries in the space of ten minutes through their powerful driving mall. The half-time score was 10-3.
UFH continued their momentum in the second half with Okuhle Pangwa and Salisiwe Gekwa adding tries, showcasing skilful play and quick hands. Lakheni Majali also contributed with a try, demonstrating strength and pace. Despite UFH’s failure to convert any conversions, they maintained control of the game.
UKZN attempted a comeback through a try by Wela-Aphumile Mnata Takata, but UFH’s quick follow-up play secured their final try by Cyril Mphatsoe, sealing the victory.
SCORERS
For UFH
Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela 2, Okuhle Pangwa, Salisiwe Gekwa, Lakheni Majali, Cyril Mphatsoe
For UKZN
Try: Wela-Aphumile Mnata Takata
Con: Khanya Kama
Pen: Khanya Kama
Player That Rocks: Kamvelihle Fatyela (UKZN)
TEAMS
UFH: 15 Cyril Mphatsoe, 14 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 13 Lakheni Majali, 12 Ryan Kelly Maree, 11 Okuhle Pangwa, 10 Apiwe Sidloyi, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 8 Yanga Gazi, 7 Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, 6 Anda Simanga, 5 Kamvelihle Gcweka, 4 Cinga Nqotyana, 3 Bulela Magopeni, 2 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 1 Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima.
UKZN: 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Jarryd Nicholls, 13 Singele Mihlayenkosi Mkhize, 12 Siso France, 11 Thato Tshepang Matsoso, 10 Khanya Junior Kama, 9 Thando Sphesihle Cele, 8 Amahle Dlamini, 7 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 6 Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, 5 Nhlakanipho Ntando Hleloluhle Mathonsi, 4 Mthomboyolo Buzani, 3 Ulrich Cameron Walker, 2 Sikhona Ndulini, 1 Benjamin Maseko.
Source: @varsityshield
