Barbarians sneak past Majuba

The NMMU Barbarians recorded their second successive win of the 2009 Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships season, beating Majuba – from Maties – 31-29 in Stellenbosch on Monday evening.

The victory certainly lifted the morale of the NMMU camp, following the 58-3 drubbing handed out to the ‘Madibas’ by the Maties in their Varsity Cup fixture at the Danie Craven Stadium.

More importantly, however, the win has ensured the Barbarians of a place in the Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships semifinals – irrespective of the outcome of their upcoming clash against the unbeaten Huis Armentum (Shimlas) this coming Monday.

The Baa-baas, of course, beat the Steinhoff Cobras (UCT) 8-5 last Monday and their clash against Armentum is a battle of the two unbeaten sides in the Southern section of the league.

Wing Connie de Villiers, centre Lindsay Weyer and hooker Werner Kapp scored tries for the Barbarians. Weyer also had his goalkicking boots on; he succeeded with four penalties and two conversions for a personal tally of 21 points.

The home team, Majuba, led 12-10 at half-time, but the visitors fought strongly in the second half; winning the battle of the second 40 minutes by 21-17.

Left-wing Stefan de Villiers and No.8 Dantes Wium scored tries for Majuba, with De Villiers knocking over both conversions and also kicking five penalties for a personal haul of 24 points.

The scorers:

For Majuba:
Tries: Stefan de Villiers, Dantes Wium
Cons: De Villiers 2
Pens: De Villiers 5

For the Barbarians:
Tries: Connie de Villiers, Lindsay Weyer, Werner Kapp
Cons: Weyer 2
Pens: Weyer 4