Maties dig deep to trounce Madibaz
The Madibaz held an 11-6 lead, thanks to a Thomas Kean penalty and Wynand Grassmann try but the home side came back to score four second-half tries to claim the comfortable victory in the end.
The match to came to life after the first strategy break when the Madibaz took a 3-0 lead in the 21st minute, compliments of a Thomas Kean penalty. However, that lead did not last too long though as Maties prop Niel Oelofse hit back.
The front row forward used his frame to full effect as he muscled his way over the line. Flyhalf Chris Smith failed to add the conversion but the home side held a 5-3 lead after 26 minutes.
The visitors hit back with a try of their own 10 minutes later when lock Wynand Grassmann made his way over the line. Kean failed with the conversion attempt but the Madibaz managed to pull ahead 8-5.
Kean made up for that miss on the stroke of half-time though when he slotted his second penalty of the match to ensure the Madibaz went into the break with an 11-5 lead.
The home side took the lead two minutes after the restart when John Groenewald got himself over the line. Smith added the extras to ensure a 12-11 lead after 42 minutes. Maties then managed to put some breathing space between themselves and the Madibaz with their third try of the match.
Scrumhalf Brendon Nell rounded off a flowing move that began inside their half, to bag a seven-point try. Smith added the extras to ensure a 21-11 lead after 50 minutes. However, the Madibaz hit back through a Rouche Nel try to cut the deficit to 16-21 after 60 minutes.
MaTies managed to grab the bonus point in the 77th minute when Craig Barry scored his side's fourth try of the match. Smith added the extras to ensure a 28-16 lead. There was enough time for one last try as Michal Haznar added his name to the scoresheet. Smith made no mistake with the conversion to ensure the comfortable victory.
Scorers:
For Maties:
Tries: Oelofse, Groenewald, Nell, Barry, Haznar
Cons: Smith 4
For NMMU-Madibaz:
Tries: Grassmann, Nel
Pens: Kean 2
Teams:
Maties: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Michal Haznar, 12 Jan Venter, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Brendon Nell, 8 Devon Nash, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Mitchell Carstens, 5 Johannes Momsen, 4 John Groenewald, 3 Jacobus van der Merwe, 2 Craig Corbett, 1 Niel Oelofse.
Replacements: 16 Johan Kirsten, 17 Wesley Adonis, 18 Wikus Groenewald, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Johann van Niekerk, 21 Logan Boonzaaier, 22 Barend Smit, 23 Tiaan Swanepoel.
NMMU-Madibaz: 15 Lindelwe Zungu, 14 Athenkosi Mayinje, 13 Siphumelele Msutwana, 12 Andile Jho, 11 Ivan-John du Preez, 10 Thomas Kean, 9 Rouche Nel, 8 Kevin Kaba, 7 Henry Brown, 6 Stephanus Nieuwoudt, 5 Gerrit Huisamen, 4 Wynand Grassmann, 3 Nicolaas Oosthuizen, 2 JP Jamieson, 1 Xandre Vos.
Replacements: 16 Jedwin Harty, 17 Tembelihle Yase, 18 Nicolas Roebeck, 19 Robert Izaks, 20 Robert Izaks, 21 Lovu Claassen, 22 Jordan Koekemoer, 23 Jixie Molapo.
Referee: Francois Pretorius
Assistant referees: Local
