Shield table toppers earn Varsity Cup promotion

Round Seven of the Varsity Shield saw the Varsity College Comets top the log and secure their promotion into the Varsity Cup with a win against WSU, who picked up a crucial bonus point to move out of relegation danger.

Madibaz secured a semifinal place after a victory over CPUT and booked a spot in the Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match while UWC staged a stunning comeback to defeat the Gemmies in a nailbiter.

The UKZN Impi finished at the bottom of the log and will have to decide their fate in a relegation play-off against the top USSA side later in the year.

Varsity College 41-29 WSU

The visiting team, WSU looked like a team playing for their lives and began the game on fire, ending it that way too as they scored the first and last tries of the match.

The first try of the match came through Sibulele Manyube, which was converted by WSU No.10 Isiphe Mbini.

A few minutes later, the log leaders, Comets got their momentum going with a try scored by No.12 Mambo Mkhize, of which their flyhalf failed to make it a full seven-pointer, taking the score to 7-5 to WSU.

The Comets No.10 made amends for his miss earlier on and scored a try which he converted himself and later assisting a well worked try which he beautifully chip kicked safely into the hands of Allston Cedras.

In between, WSU scored a beautiful penalty by the flyhalf Mbini, as well as one more try from Comets Rober Everson, taking the half-time score to 24-10 in favour of the home team.

Juan Steyl also added his name on the scoreboard before Marx repeated another beautiful chip assist, this time to Cade Latham to finish off.

The Comets flyhalf scored final points for his side through a penalty kick of which he made no mistake.

The closing of the match saw WSU viciously fighting for their lives, scoring three incredible back-to-back tries through Azasakhe Phuwani, Sipho Hobosch and Ahlule Zokoza.

Scorers:

For Varsity College:
Tries: Mkhize, Marx, Everson, Cedras, Steyl, Latham.
Cons: Marx 4
Pen: Marx

For WSU:
Tries: Sibulele, Azasakhe, Sipho, Ahlule
Cons: Hartnick 2, Mbini

Player that Rocks: Frederick Marx (Varsity College)

Teams:

Varsity College: 15 Chandler Green, 14 Allston Cedras, 13 MJ Schoeman, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 11 Edward Sigauke, 10 Frederick Marx, 9 Abande Mthembu, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 7 Enzo van Niekerk, 6 Sinelifa Ncwana, 5 Reece Curtin, 4 Robert Everson, 3 Donell Francis, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Kabelo Matabola.
Replacements: 16 Thabo Njapha, 17 Daniel van Huizen, 18 Mbuso Kweyama, 19 Laython Nel, 20 Jonathan Horak, 21 Khumo-etsile Nkutha, 22 Christian Els, 23 Cade Latham

WSU: 15 Beon Hartnick, 14 Ahlule Zokoza, 13 Axola Mtalana, 12 Asivile Ngcawa, 11 Asisipho Jim, 10 Isiphe Mbini, 9 Thembela Folo, 8 Sipho Hobosch, 7 Qhayiya Makhalima, 6 Pernell Mandes, 5 Siseko Mani, 4 Luvo Zindela, 3 Yoyisa Mahobe, 2 Sibulele Manyube, 1 Yanda Ndamase.
Replacements: 16 N/A, 17 Mihlali Nohoyeka, 18 Buhlebenkosi Kedama, 19 Azasakhe Phuwani, 20 Khanya Solani, 21 Asenam Mniki, 22 Bulelani Nondlwana, 23 Sandisiwe Mkwayimba.

Referee: Hanru van Rooyen

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UKZN 17-36 UFH

With the rain pouring on the pitch, relegation zone teams UKZN and UFH locked horns with the visitors taking it home 36-17 to finish the season strong.

The match began with a beautiful early try from Bunono Jamani who crossed the whitewash as the Impi forces still trying to find their feet.

Sinalo Jivana converted successfully for the first try.

Blues scrumhalf Sinalo Jivan later scored a beautiful penalty kick from 20 meters away to give his side a further point extension, taking the score to 10-0 to the visitors.

UKZN marked their presence as they also scored a penalty shortly after through Minenhle Ngcamu’s boot taking the score to 10-3 to the visitors.

Another penalty was scored by Jivana in the first 20 minutes before two tries were scored in the game – one from each side.

For the Impi try, Russel Fick capitalised on some sloppy defensive work by the visitors, while for the Blues try, Hooker Bunono Jamani completed his brace.

A few minutes from half-time, after some bumper-to-bumper play, Aphelele Dlamini confidently jumped over the try line to dot down for the Impi to try to keep in touch.

At the stroke of half-time, Sinalo Jivana added another penalty kick to take his team to a 23-17 lead at the break.

The second half saw UFH No.9 wrap up the game with two more penalties, with an impressive Anda Simanga try in between,  which took the final score to 36-17 to the men from Eastern Cape.

Scorers:

For UKZN:
Tries: Fick, Dlamini
Cons: Ngcamu 2
Pen: Ngcamu

For UFH:
Tries: Bunono 2, Simanga
Cons: Jivana 3
Pens: Jivana 5

Player that Rocks: Sinalo Jivana (UFH)

Teams:

UKZN: 15 Jovawn Visagie, 14 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 13 Singele Mkhize, 12 Russel Fick, 11 Luthando Mhlongo, 10 Minehle Mfanelo Ngcamu, 9 Zak Smith, 8 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 7 Aphelele Dlamini, 6 Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, 5 Mthomboyolo Buzani, 4 Samkelo Mkhize, 3 Owethu Mntwelizwe, 2 Sikhona Ndulini, 1 Siya Dlamini.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Ramsamy, 17 Ntokozo Ngema, 18 Thabiso Ncube, 19 Amahle Dlamini, 20 Mzwandile Khawula, 21 Milowo Matebese, 22 Ntobeko Mhlongo, 23 Siso France.

UFH: 15 Ukho Nomsatha, 14 Lutho Mene, 13 Takudzwa Rushiza, 12 Lakheni Majali, 11 Bulumko Mfundisi, 10 Sakhela Siyamthanda, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 8 Anda Simanga, 7 Mpho Ramahala, 6 Yanga Gazi, 5 Kamvelile Gcweka, 4 Liyema Hiltane, 3 Liyabona Matyana, 2 Bunono Jamani, 1 Elihle Mtshemla.
Replacements: 16 Inga Vellem, 17 Samkele Nzima, 19 Mbasa Babele, 19 Micheal Mangava, 20 Dala Mgidi, 21 Kamva Jenqa, 22 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 23 Sibusiso Javu.

Referee: Juan de Bod

Madibaz 45-27 CPUT

Everything was on the line in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon as Madibaz ended second on the Varsity Shield log, securing a home semifinal, and booking a spot in the Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match.

Madibaz passed the test with flying colours, and that against one of the form sides of the competition.

First blood was drawn by the visitors in the 10th minute when hooker Kyle Ahrendse dotted down from a rolling maul.

Madibaz stayed composed, however, forcing the penalty to earn the lineout and perfecting the rolling maul to put Tihalefo Moleko in for his side’s first five-pointer of the afternoon.

With the scores level, Madibaz upped the ante in their forward play, and one of their stars of the season, Sean Van Zijl, crossed the line for another try after a powerful maul.

The Cape students knew they were up against it but responded in kind with a rolling maul of their own.

Left-wing Iwaan Bloys joined the pack and found himself on the right side of the whitewash.

Madibaz skipper Leon van der Merwe, never one to miss out on the big moments, then scored on the stroke of half-time, giving the home side a vital lead at the break.

Though CPUT came back into it with a well-struck three-pointer by Matthew Pekeur in the 44th minute, it was that Madibaz pack that rallied again.

They proved too much for the CPUT defence, which conceded a penalty try.

Only five minutes later Madibaz lock Calvin Bosch proved unstoppable five metres out to stretch the Nelson Mandela Bay students’ lead even further.

The result then looked beyond doubt when Kyle Erasmus scored for Madibaz again. The 25-point margin at this stage would prove invaluable.

When the Madibaz prop was red-carded with 20 minutes to play, it gave CPUT the glimmer of hope they needed, and they duly responded via a try by Philasande Ngcobo.

Three minutes from fulltime, they scored another after a great breakout by centre Jacquin Jacobu,s who went all the way.

The clock had already run down when Van Zijl scored his second of the day to give the Madibaz a famous win.

Scorers:

For Madibaz:
Tries: Moleko, Van Zijl 2, Van der Merwe, Bosch, Erasmus, Penalty try does not require a conversion.
Cons: Milborrow 3, Conrad

For CPUT:
Tries: Ahrendse, Bloys, Ngcobo, Jacobus
Cons: Maseti 2

Player That Rocks: Imibongo Mvuleni (Madibaz)

Teams:

Madibaz: 15 Layron Milborrow, 14 Mvelo Fipaza, 13 Edward Kruger, 12 Lwando Davane, 11 Emihle Zaza, 10 Raashied Conrad, 9 Cameron Doyle, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 7 Dewald Gerber, 6 Sean van Zijl, 5 Martinus Strydom, 4 Calvin Bosch, 3 Lihlumelo Mantewu, 2 Tlhalefo Kabelo Moleko, 1 Imibongo Mvuleni.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Erasmus, 17 Bahle Cengani, 18 AJ Flemming, 19 Thando Noyaga, 20 Corne Cloete, 21 Schalk Cannon, 21 Curwin Casper, 23 Caleb Friskin.

CPUT: 15 Keewan Titus, 14 Noah Matthew Pekeur, 13 Jacquin Farrol Jacobus, 12 Carick Ethan Kustoor, 11 Iwaan Bloys, 10 Oyintando Honour Maseti, 9 Jayson January, 8 Denley Krid Adams, 7 Philasande Ngcobo, 6 Nqaba Mveliso Nkonyeni, 5 Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, 4 Simphiwe Gift Thabede, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 2 Kyle Ahrendse, 1 Nkosephayo Sbusiso Ngema.
Replacements: 16 Andrew John Williams, 17 Gerald Junior Ghambi, 18 Ashton Maloy, 19 Abongile Kude Golela, 20 Preveen Rahul Padayachiey, 21 Clyde Frieslaar, 22 Timothy Matthew Shortles, 23 Keano Gerswin Cookson.

Referee: Charlwin Daries

SPU 40-57 UWC

Griqua Park witnessed a dramatic Varsity Shield encounter as SPU stormed to an early lead, only to be overrun by a second-half surge from UWC, who emerged victorious with a 57-40 triumph.

SPU dominated the first half, with Khanya Kama opening the scoring in the 11th minute with a penalty.

Bokamosa Maphisa added to the lead in the 15th minute, though the conversion was missed.

Despite losing Leslie Ruiters to a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on, SPU continued their momentum.

Jan Potgier’s 24th-minute try extended the lead, followed by Thando Shipalana’s score from a rolling maul.

By the 28th minute, SPU led 18-0.

UWC fought back through Aaron Swartz, who scored and converted his own try in the 32nd minute.

SPU responded with a penalty from Kama before Liyabona Maplanga sprinted the length of the field for a brilliant solo try.

At half-time, SPU was firmly ahead by 28-7.

The second half started well for SPU, with Tyron China adding another try, pushing the score to 33-7.

However, UWC’s captain, Romauld Nsombamanya, led an incredible comeback.

He scored in the 45th, 48th, and 52nd minutes, with Swartz converting twice to bring UWC within seven points at 33-26.

Melumzi Mandongana’s 58th-minute try, converted by Swartz, levelled the game at 33-all.

UWC then took the lead when Ruiters’ second slap-down resulted in a penalty try.

Leigh Braaf added another try in the 65th minute, and Nsombamanya secured his fourth of the match, making it 52-33.

SPU managed one last try, but Juma Amisi’s score sealed UWC’s 57-40 victory.

Despite SPU’s early dominance, UWC’s resilience and clinical finishing, led by Nsombamanya and Swartz, secured a remarkable comeback win.

Scorers:

For SPU:
Tries: Shiphalana 4, Maphisa, Maplanga
Cons: Ruiters, Kama
Pens: Kama 2

For UWC:
Tries: Nsombamanya 4, Swartz, Amisi, Braaf, Madongana, penalty try does not require a conversion
Cons: Swartz 5

Yellow Card: Leslie Ruiters (SPU – Cynical: deliberate knock-on)

Player That Rocks: Romauld Nsombamanya (UWC).

Teams:

SPU: 15 Bokamoso Maphisa, 14 Dwayne Lubbe, 13 Jaiden Faviers, 12 Khanya Kama, 11 Liyabona Maplanga, 10 Leslie Ruiters, 9 TJ Majiedt, 8 Gareth Maree, 7 Tyron China, 6 Thando Shipana, 5 JJ Fourie, 4 Tumelo Papane, 3 Cassie Botes, 2 Jan Potgieter, 1 Aviwe Mpepo.
Replacements: 16 Kabelo Keagile, 17 Emile Noble, 18 Juandre le Roux, 19 Fredrick John Eveleigh, 20 Lihlumelo Gunguta, 21 Ethan Manus, 22 Raees Sahabodien, 23 Cameron Aubrey Primo.

UWC: 15 Aaron Swartz, 14 Keagan Wood, 13 J’que Huckins, 12 Braydon Booysen, 11 Shariq Davids, 10 Elkan Willemse, 9 Matthew Stephens, 8 Leighton Damon, 7 Jean Visser, 6 Romauld Nsombamyana, 5 Alexander-Jaco van der Merwe, 4 Melumzi Mandongana, 3 Franco Ceasar, 2 Mihlali Tyanase, 1 Hlobela Qelile.
Replacements: 16 Marciano Forbes, 17 Keanuh Michaels, 18 Logan Fortuin, 19 Vincent Cloete, 20 Daniel Damons, 21 Conwill Conradie, 22 Juma Amisi, 23 Leigh Braaf.

Referee: Lulutho Matomela
Assistant referees: Local
TMO: Stephan Geldenhuys

 

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