Rampant Wits crush Madibaz as Varsity Shield lights up

ROUND FIVE WRAP: Wits strengthened their grip at the top of the Varsity Shield standings after demolishing Madibaz 63-8.

In another high-scoring clash, UFH delivered a tremendous display of grit and determination at Suzuki Stadium, overpowering SPU to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.

WSU produced a clinical first-half performance before holding off a spirited second-half comeback from CPUT to secure victory in Bellville. Meanwhile, a strong first-half surge from UWC proved enough to seal a hard-fought win in a tight contest in Pietermaritzburg.

Madibaz 8-63 Wits

There was only one thing hotter than the weather in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon, and that was the form of Wits. The build-up to this top-of-the-table clash was massive, but 20 minutes into the first half it quickly became clear that there was only one side in it.

The visitors’ tries came thick and fast after Layron Milborrow gave Madibaz the early lead through a penalty. No 8 Liam Santos got the try-fest underway, followed by a powerful run down the right and dot-down by wing Dustyn Holmes – the first of his three tries of the afternoon.

The pressure continued building on Madibaz, leading to infringements that saw two of their players sin-binned within minutes of one another.

Wits smelled blood and spread the ball from their own 22. Madibaz were back-pedalling and had little chance of stopping the momentum, with flanker Christopher Kachungunu cantering in for his first try.

Santos scored his second 12 minutes before the break, and when prop Meyer Opperman added one just before half-time, the writing was already on the wall.

The second half followed a similar pattern.

Holmes ran in for his second before Wits finally made a tap option count. Replacement prop Ricardo Brandao barged over for the first of his two tries after quick ball movement.

Holmes completed his hat-trick with a sensational bit of skill, catching a kick-pass in the in-goal area and grounding it under pressure.

Kachungunu, wing Lindani Dweba and Brandao all crossed in the final quarter to seal a crushing victory for the Varsity Shield log leaders.

Scorers:

For Madibaz:

Tries: Cengani
Pen: Milborrow

For Wits:

Tries: Holmes 3, Santos 2, Kachungunu 2, Opperman, Brandao 2, Dweba, Nela, Munnery, Chirwa
Con: Nela, Gerber, Coetzee

Player of the Match: Dustyn Holmes (Wits)

Teams:

Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Kyle Erasmus, Aj Flemming, Luan Verster, Calvin Bosch, Corne Cloete, Dewald Gerber, Sean Van Zijl, Cameron Doyle, Layron Milborrow, Cole Hilpert, Qurin Cupido, Edward Kruger, Jaden Witbooi, Caleb Friskin.

Wits: Ronan Dutton, Bonga Nxumalo, Meyer Opperman, Lian Terblanche, Hayden Munnery, Adem Niewoudt, Christopher Kachungunu, Liam Santos, Bryce Samuel, Matthew Coetzee, Lindani Dweba, Tirhani Masondo, Keith Chirwa, Dustyn Holmes, Latica Nela.

SPU 34-61 UFH

UFH produced a tremendous display of determination to secure a crucial victory in their battle to avoid relegation.

SPU struck first when they were awarded a penalty try in the second minute, taking an early 7-0 lead.

Devian Ambrose soon added another try for the hosts and it briefly looked as though SPU would run riot.

However, after the strategy break, UFH regrouped and staged an impressive comeback.

Loosehead prop Elihle Mtshemla scored to spark the turnaround before the visitors added another through their power play. Fullback Ukho Nomsatha then produced a highlight-reel try to give UFH the lead.

Alizwa Majila crossed soon after to stretch the visitors’ advantage and silence the home crowd.

Although SPU pulled one back before half-time, UFH dominated the second half, adding further tries through Bulumko Mfundisi, Anongile Yeye and Nomsatha to seal the result.

Late tries from Keletso Seoposengwe and Dwayne Lubbe gave SPU some consolation, but UFH had already secured an emphatic win.

The scorers:

For SPU:

Tries: Ambrose, Sellidon, Seoposengwe, Lubbe, Papane, Penalty Try
Con: Sellidon

For UFH:

Tries: Mtshemla, Mfundisi, Majila, Nomsatha 2, Simanga, Yeye, Penalty Try
Con: Yeye

Player of the Match: Ukho Nomsatha (UFH)

Teams

SPU: Liam Harmse, Ntokozo Ndwalane, Aiden Holtzhausen, Jacobus Johannes Fourie, Joshus Vomberg, Tyron (C) China, Kabelo Keagile, Devine Ambrose, Aswen Rademeyer, Chadwin Sellidon, Raees Sahabodien, Liyabona Maplanga, Jaiden (V) Faviers, Michael Prinsloo, Calvin Paulsen.

UFH: Elihle Mtshemla, Bunono Jamani, Liyabona Matyana, Mpho Ramahala, Liyema Hitane, Alizwa Majila, Anda Simanga, Iminathi Macoli, Abongile Yey, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Liyema Ngoyi, Lisolethu Jali, Takudzwa Rushiza, Buluko Mfundisi, Ukho Nomsatha.

UKZN 15-22 UWC

UWC produced a remarkable first-half comeback to defeat UKZN 22-15 in Pietermaritzburg.

UKZN started strongly with tries from flankers Lonwabo Nkalitshana and Ndabezinhle Ngubane before hooker Jordan Ramsamy added a third to give the hosts a commanding 15-0 lead.

However, UWC responded with a surge of their own.

Marciano Forbes opened their account before Graigon Matroos crossed. Hlomla Ncana then finished a sweeping move to level the scores.

Just before half-time, eighthman Anele Magadla powered over to complete the comeback and hand the visitors a 22-15 lead.

A physical second half followed but neither side managed to add to the scoreline, with UWC holding firm to secure victory.

The scorers:

For UKZN:

Tries: Nkalintshana, Ngubane, Ramsamy

UWC:

Tries: Forbes, Matroos, Ncana, Magadla
Con: Swartz

Player of the Match: Aaron Swartz (UWC)

UKZN: Prince Nyathi, Jordan Raamsamy, Ulrich Walker, Amu Rennenuenim , Tylo Madaat, Lonwabo Nkalintshana, Ndabezinhle Ngubane, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Lian Lochner, Juan Viljoen, Eloko Kayekeze, Frederick Malgas, Ntobeko Mhlongo, Jovawn Visagie, Siso France.

UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Marciano Forbes, Graigan Matroos, Logan Fortuin, Melumzi Mandongana, Melvin Diedericks, Danston Cloeteof, Anele Magadla, Fra-Neeco Baron, Nhlamulo Shilubane, Leachim Adams, Denver Van Wyk, Hlomla Ncana, Juma Amisi, Aaron Swartz.

CPUT 22-34 WSU

WSU produced a clinical first-half display before holding off a second-half fightback to defeat CPUT 34-22 in Bellville.

Sandisiwe Mkwayimba opened the scoring early for WSU before crossing again soon after to extend the visitors’ advantage.

Lukhangele Tshayi added another before the break to give WSU a commanding lead at half-time.

CPUT responded strongly in the second half. Jacquin Jacobus powered over before Yibanathi Daki added another try to bring the hosts back into contention.

However, Tshayi grabbed his second try of the match to restore WSU’s cushion.

A late try from Noah Pekeur provided consolation for CPUT, but WSU’s first-half dominance proved decisive.

The scorers:

For CPUT:

Tries: Daki, Jacobus, Atkins, Pekeur
Con: Noble

For WSU:

Tries: Mkhwayimba 3, Tshayi 2, Hobosch
Con: Mbini, Tshayi

Player of the Match: Lukhangele Tshayi (WSU)

Teams:

CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya; Lindisipho Lihle Kula; Kieran Delaan Naidoo; Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga; Abongile Kude Golela; Simphiwe Gift Thabede; Yibanathi Daki; Denley Krid Adams; Jayson January Reuben Thorne Noble; Samukelisiwe Sandile Madonsela; Mbuso Maseko; Jacquin Farrol Jacobus; Dwayne Grant Atkins; Noah Matthew Pekeur.

WSU: Mihlali Nohoyeka; Mangaliso Zixesha; Yoyisa Mahobe; Luvo Zindela; Sandisiwe Mkwayimba; Siya Ncapayi; Khanaye Mbakaza; Sipho Hobosch; Thembela Folo; Isiphe Mbini; Asisipho Jim; Bulelani Nondlwana; Axola Mtalana; Ahlule Zokoza; Lukhangele Tshayi.