Varsity Shield: Two out of two for Tuks and Varsity College

ROUND TWO WRAP: Varsity College are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Shield after a solid victory at home over UFH in Round Two.

Elsewhere former Varsity Cup champions UP-Tuks thrashed CPUT, Madibaz kept UKZN from scoring and TUT were victorious over WSU.

VARSITY COLLEGE 35–16 UFH

Varsity Shield newcomers Varsity College made it two out of two when they beat UFH 35-16 at home in Durban.

It took Varsity College a mere minute to get on the scoreboard when wing Tshegofatso Ramaloko put in a beautiful sprint to touch down for a try that Frederick Marx duly converted.

Ten minutes later, Aphiwe Sidloyi slotted a penalty for UFH and followed it up with two more.

Just before half-time, the visitors’ Ryan Maree crossed the tryline after a quick counterattack. Sidloyi converted and UFH led 16-7.

The break came at the wrong time for UFH when the Varsity College Comets came out all guns blazing. Marx scored a try after a tightly contested maul and converted himself.

The home team went on to add three more tries through Jacques Marais, Juan Steyl and Werner Coetzee, all successfully converted by Marx to give him a match tally of 15 points.

The visitors simply had no response and remained scoreless for the second 40 minutes.

SCORERS:

For Varsity College:
Tries: Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Frederick Marx, Jacques Marais, Juan Steyl, Werner Coetzee
Cons: Marx 5

For UFH:
Try: Ryan Maree
Con: Aphiwe Sidloyi
Pens: Aphiwe Sidloy 3

Player That Rocks: Juandre Steyl (Varsity College)

TEAMS:

Varsity College: 15 Luke Christopher Horak, 14 Philani Dwayne Khoza, 13 Macmillian Zvikomborero Mudara, 12 Michael Ayibongwe Ngwenya, 11 Tshegofatso Ramaloko, 10 Frederick Nicolaas Marx, 9 Abande Mpumelelo Mthembu, 8 Mandisi Khumo-etsile Nkutha, 7 Enzo Leo van Niekerk, 6 Juan Orde Steyl, 5 Werner Johan Coetzee, 4 Garren Müller, 3 Siyabonga Luyanda Dube, 2 Jacques Theron du Toit Marais, 1 Bunono Jabavu.

UFH: 15 Cyril Mphatsoe, 14 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 13 Ryan Kelly Maree, 12 Lakheni Majali, 11 Okuhle Pangwa, 10 Apiwe Sidloyi, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 8 Yanga Gazi, 7 Kamvelihle Gcweka, 6 Anda Simanga, 5 Cinga Nqotyana, 4 Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, 3 Mbasa Kamvalethu Babele, 2 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 1 Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima.

UP-TUKS 61–10 CPUT

UP-Tuks scored a decisive 61-10 victory over CPUT in their first home game of the 2024 season.

The Stripe Generation opened the scoring when Kean Galant flew over the tryline following a relentless attack from the Tuks forwards. It did not take long for Dewey Swartbooi’s troops to get their second try as Tharquinn Manuel broke away to make it 14-0, Jean-Pierre Wentzel making no mistake from the tee with his second conversion.

The visitors registered their first points courtesy of a penalty from the powerful boot of Oyintando Maseti.

Tuks however continued to pile on the pressure on their opponents when burly prop Ethan Burger got his name on the score sheet. CPUT looked dangerous on the counterattack and they were rewarded with a try from pacey wing Linton Maritz.

The home side however wrapped up the first stanza with a bonus-point try from Zander Reynders, with Tuks leading 28-10 at the break.

In the one-sided affair, Tuks continued to dominate and registered five more tries in the second half.

They were awarded a penalty try in the 46th minute when CPUT’s Ayabulela Zono collapsed the maul. Seventeen minutes Ethan Burger registered his brace. Another try followed from the forward pack, this time through substitute Jonathan Smit.

Nqubeko Mkwanazi and Bayanda Ngubane flew over in the corner to wrap up the Tuks party.

SCORERS:

For UP-Tuks:
Tries: Keane Galant, Tharquinn Manuel, Ethan Burger 2, Jonathan Smit, Bayanda Ngubane, Nqubeko Mkwanazi, Zander Reynders, penalty try
Cons: Jean-Pierre Wentzel 4, Kyle Cyster 3

For CPUT:
Try: Linton Maritz
Con: Oyintando Maseti
Pen: Oyintando Maseti

Player That Rocks: Marco Venter (UP-Tuks)

TEAMS

UP-Tuks: 15 Tharquinn Thane Manuel, 14 Bayanda Ngubane Ngubane, 13 Zander Reynders, 12 Keane Romaine Galant, 11 Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, 10 Jean-Pierre Wentzel, 9 Chad-Lee Valentine, 8 Marco Venter, 7 Hilton Gie, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 Roald Hattingh, 4 Johannes Wilhelmus Marè, 3 Dian Stephan Coetzee, 2 Allister Noel Williams, 1 Ethan Lance Burger.

CPUT: 15 Keewan Titus, 14 Linton Shawn Maritz, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 12 Timothy Matthew Shortles, 11 Keenan Williams, 10 Oyintando Honour Maseti, 9 Jayson January, 8 Ayabulela Zono, 7 Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, 6 Duke Somila Shasha, 5 Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, 4 Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 2 Kéran Jayson Valentyn, 1 Emihle Akho Benya.

MADIBAZ 30–0 UKZN

A late change of venue did not prevent Madibaz from romping home to an emphatic 30-0 win against UKZN in Gqeberha.

While the home side began slowly, the boot of wing Kehan Myburgh was on target in the first 20 minutes of the opening stanza to ensure they had points on the board. They shifted gear after the strategy break, piling on the pressure to eventually see lock Mekyle Solomon crashing over for their first try.

While UKZN had moments out wide, they never really mounted a challenge that promised points.

Madibaz began the second half with a bang and after a prolonged period in the UKZN half managed to get the ball to right wing Buhlebemvelo Fipaza who leaped into the corner for the five-pointer.

Madibaz’ forwards then took complete control and were rewarded for their dominance with tries by hooker Kyle Erasmus and replacement prop Andries Flemming.

SCORERS:

For Madibaz:
Tries: Mekyle Solomon, Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, Kyle Erasmus, Andries Flemming
Cons: Kehan Myburgh 2
Pens: Myburgh 2

For UKZN: None

Player That Rocks: Chris Kachunguru (Madibaz)

TEAMS:

Madibaz: 15 Henry Edward Frederick Kruger, 14 Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, 13 Lwando Davane, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Kehan Myburgh, 10 Raashied Conrad, 9 Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 7 Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, 6 Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, 5 Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, 4 Dewald Gerber, 3 S’bulelo Roji, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 1 Endinako Kuse.

UKZN: 15 Jarryd Nicholls, 14 Thato Tshepang Matsoso, 13 Singele Mkhize, 12 Siso France, 11 Somanga Lunathi Jho, 10 Minenhle Mfanelo Ngcamu, 9 Thando Sphesihle Cele, 8 Siphesihle Dlamini, 7 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 6 Wilhelm Fenske, 5 Mthomboyolo Buzani, 4 Sikhona Cebolenkosi Ndulini, 3 Mbongeni Geco, 2 Qhawe Praiseworthy Ndabezinhle Nxumalo, 1 Benjamin Maseko.

TUT 20–10 WSU

Despite losing flyhalf Jamie Felix in the first ten minutes of the match, TUT did enough to hang on for a 20-10 victory over WSU in Pretoria.

The home side found it hard to get out of their own half in the first 10 minutes of the clash, with WSU dominating possession. The game was stopped for ten minutes when Felix was stretchered off.

The visitors were finally rewarded when Lukhangele Tshayi was successful with a penalty.

Flash Malinga’s troops retaliated with a penalty and try through hooker Jandre Van Zyl when he dotted down from a driving maul. The half-time score was 10-3 in favour of TUT.

The Vikings wasted no time as they kicked off the second half with a penalty score from the boot of Mauritz Maritz. Van Zyl stretched TUT’s lead when he completed his brace.

WSU posed a threat with a couple of attacking moves and were finally rewarded with a try late in the contest courtesy of Tshayi. Their efforts were not enough though as TUT managed to hold on and register their first victory of the season.

SCORERS

For TUT:
Tries: Jandre van Zyl 2
Cons: Mauritz Maritz 2
Pens: Maritz 2

For WSU:
Try: Lukhangele Tshayi
Con: Yandisa Myokwana
Pen: Tshayi

Player That Rocks: Mauritz Maritz (TUT)

TEAMS:

TUT: 15 Ayabonga Thokozani Zakwe, 14 Vuyani Vanqa, 13 Mauritz Maritz, 12 Josh Sandile Robinson, 11 Tandai Chikohwa, 10 Jamie Felix, 9 Buhlebuyeza Sthandwa Tebogo Ndunakazi, 8 Kgomotso Samuel Chuene Maribana, 7 Lutho Luxolo Tom, 6 Knowledge Chaira, 5 Clinton Mbusowenkosi Ngomane, 4 Lwazi Lwandile Dlamini, 3 Lawrence Nong, 2 Jandre van Zyl, 1 Mxolisi Innocent Nzama.

WSU: 15 Lukhangele Tshayi, 13 Awonke Sondishe, 12 Axola Mtyali, 11 Zenande Mdledle, 10 Maxwell Curtley Klaasen, 9 Esenam Mniki, 8 Sandisiwe Mkwayimba, 7 Pernell Mervian Mandes, 6 Khanya Solani, 6 Khanya Solani, 5 Lutho Mampunye, 4 Kamva Tetani, 3 Ayabonga Masivuye Spelt, 2 Mangaliso Zixesha, 1 Sinethemba Zwelonke.