Varsity Shield: UKZN stun WSU

ROUND ONE WRAP: The UKZN Impi rebounded from a 14-point deficit as well as a red card to beat WSU 23-22 in the opening round of the Varsity Shield on Friday.

The match at Rhodes Great Field was an ill-tempered and ill-disciplined affair that witnessed a total of five cards – two for the Impi in the first half and three for WSU in the latter 41 minutes of the game.

The WSU forwards and backs combined brilliantly to cut the Impi defence to shreds in the opening quarter. UKZN were their own worst enemies during this period, with wing Devandré Adendorf receiving a yellow card in the 23rd minute.

Flyhalf Lwandile Mapuko slotted a penalty as Adendorff left the field and added a try and conversion thereafter. At that stage, the All Blacks were 14 points ahead and well on track for a bonus-point victory.

Impi tighthead prop Uli Walker was shown a red card for a head-butt on his opposite number in the scrum. WSU failed to take advantage of the situation, however, as their No.8 Uyinthando Fana was given a yellow for a reckless tackle right on half-time.

WSU’s grip on the game began to slip when prop Lindokuhle Seteni copped a yellow for a high hit. The Impi – who had been restored to 15 players after the expiration of the 20-minute red-card sanction – struck immediately, with hooker Tristan Trollip crashing over from close range.

A loose pass by WSU was collected by Impi fullback Jarryd Nicholls, who kicked the ball ahead for Adendorf to chase. The wing finished in spectacular fashion, and Nicholls’ successful conversion reduced the deficit to two points.

Flyhalf Dawro Kock stepped up to slot a long-range penalty that gave the Impi the lead for the first time in the game. Mapuko had the chance to kick the match-winning penalty in the 74th minute, but his attempt fell short of the posts.

Earlier, the UFH Blues forwards set the platform for a 13-3 win over the TUT Vikings.

The Blues heavies set the tone in the 13th minute when they hammered the Vikings scrum to win a penalty. From there, they booted the ball into the corner, and skipper Kamvelihle Fatyela crashed over for the first try of the 2022 Varsity Shield tournament.

UFH would have led by more than 8-3 at the break if not for their misfiring line-out and poor finishing in the later phases. Their scrum – and loosehead prop Edwin Nxumalo in particular – was completely dominant.

Their momentum was curbed when Keith Chiwara was shown a yellow card at the end of the first stanza for a cynical offence – and yet they conceded only three points while the flyhalf was off the field.

The Vikings’ poor discipline eventually cost them when fullback Mauritz Maritz was sent to the sin bin in the 57th minute. Blues centre Migocobo Bovu proceeded to smash through the Vikings defence and propel his side into a 10-point lead.

While the Vikings finished strongly, the UFH defence maintained its shape to deny their opponents a try – and ultimately a losing bonus point.

In the final match of the day, CPUT began their title defence with a 38-7 win against hosts Rhodes.

Two converted tries, by No.8 Eely Pieters and right wing Christopher Andrews, gave the champions a 14-0 half-time lead.

Lock Moegamat Toffar crossed the line early in the second half for CPUT, before the Stallions finally got on the board, in the 54th minute, when outside centre Jano Roux scored a converted try.

CPUT claimed their bonus-point try through flank Keanan Solomons and flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders’ fourth conversion made it 28-7.

Outside centre Björkan Hendricks and replacement Duran Alexander then scored late tries to round off a convincing victory.

Varsity Shield Round One results and scorers:

UFH Blues 13-3 TUT Vikings

The scorers:

For UFH Blues:
Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Migcobo Bovu
Pen: Keith Chiwara

For TUT Vikings:
Pen: Mauritz Maritz

Player That Rocks: Migcobo Bovu (UFH Blues)

WSU 22-23 UKZN Impi

For WSU:
Tries: Sicelo Tole, Ayabulela Zono, Lwandile Mapuko
Cons: Mapuko 2
Pen: Mapuko

For UKZN Impi:
Tries: Menzi Mabaso, Tristan Trollip, Devandré Adendorf
Con: Jarryd Nicholl
Pens: Dawro Kock 2

Player That Rocks: Menzi Mabaso (UKZN Impi)

Rhodes 7-38 CPUT

For Rhodes:
Try: Jano Roux
Con: Siyolise Mabodla

For CPUT:
Tries: Eely Pieters, Christopher Andrews, Moegamat Toffar, Keanan Solomons, Björkan Hendricks, Duran Alexander
Cons: Feghon-Leigh Snyders 4

Player That Rocks: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (CPUT)

Photo credit: ASEM Engage/Deryck Foster