It was a good day at the office for the top of the log battle as FNB Varsity College and FNB UWC maintained their spots following wins over FNB CPUT and FNB UKZN respectively on Friday in FNB Varsity Shield round 5. FNB SPU snatched a late winner against FNB UFH while FNB Madibaz cruised past FNB WSU at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
FNB UFH 33-39 FNB SPU
A heartbreak in Alice as SPU snatched a late victory over UFH at Davidson Stadium on Friday.
Two tries from Jaiden Faviers saw the visitors break the hearts of University of Fort Hare fans to claim their second win of the campaign.
The first half saw both teams exchanging blow by blow as Liyabona Maplanga broke the deadlock for the Northern Cape based side. It was then a close encounter in points scoring, and the first stanza ended with the visitors leading by 19-12.
The second half didn't disappoint as it continued where the first stanza left off.
Three tries were scored in the second half however Khanya Kama's boot was a difference in adding the scoreline for the visitors. With one minute left before the final whistle, Faviers got his brace and handed the Gemmies the lead at the death as they sailed over the visitors for a smash and grab the win.
FNB CPUT 17-40 FNB Varsity College
CPUT faced a tough battle against Varsity College, going down in a match filled with intense moments, strong comebacks and unfortunate setbacks, including two red cards.
Varsity College started strong, scoring four unanswered tries in the first half, with Thabo Njapha, Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Benjamin Brett Field, and Edward Sigauke all crossing the line.
Flyhalf Frederick Marx was clinical with the boot, converting three of them to give Varsity College a commanding 26-0 lead at halftime.
CPUT came out fighting in the second half, with Nkosephayo Ngema scoring early to get the team on the board.
But Varsity College responded quickly, with Sigauke grabbing his second try and Marx adding the extras.
CPUT’s Denley Adams and Oyintando Maseti kept the fight alive, both scoring crucial tries but Varsity College’s Juan Orde Steyl sealed the game with another converted try.
The full-time score was 40 -17 to FNB Varsity College. Despite flashes of brilliance, FNB CPUT’s momentum was halted by two red cards, making a comeback even more difficult. The team showed heart but will need to regroup and sharpen their discipline for the next fixture.
FNB WSU 14-36 FNB Madibaz
The Madibaz improved their chances of qualifying for this year’s Varsity Shield semi-finals after defeating WSU in round five of the competition at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London on Friday.
The side from Gqeberha entered the clash brimming with confidence after stunning UWC in round four. Meanwhile, WSU defeated SPU on home soil in round four.
The first half was dominated by the hosts who displayed a high level of physicality and showcased their entertaining offloading game in wet and muddy conditions.
They scored two team tries through Jaden Witbooi and centre, Lwando Davane and both were converted by flyhalf, Raashied Conrad.
Conrad had slotted in a penalty earlier in the game and that meant the visitors led 17-0 at half-time.
Madibaz were far from done and opened the second stanza with a five-pointer scored by Conrad.
Lock forward Martinus Strydom quickly joined the scoring party after crashing over from a powerful rolling maul.
The hosts rang the changes and it paid dividends as Luvo Zindela and Axola Mtalana scored two consolation tries in the final 10 minutes.
Those were, however, cancelled out with another Witbooi try in the 79th minute to secure a resounding victory for his side.
FNB UWC 44-31 FNB UKZN
UWC did just enough to overcome a resilient UKZN side at home in Bellville to get their Varsity Shield campaign back on track.
UWC scored an astonishing eight tries in their victory but left a total of 12 points on the field through missed conversion attempts as only two of their tries saw the extras added.
That kept the nuggetty UKZN in the game who came to Cape Town with a never-say-die attitude.
UKZN scored half the number of tries, four but converted all their chances off the boot through the educated tee of fullback Siso France who also slotted
An early penalty to stay within touching distance of UWC with only an eight-point difference with 12 minutes to go.
But UWC showed their class, rumbling over two second half maul tries, which could easily have been three, as hooker Mihlali Tyanase grabbed a brace.
Strong running inside centre Braydon Booysen and electric winger Leachim Adams scored two tries of their own as well UWC opened up an early 17-3 lead in the first half that UKZN had to climb back from.
UKZN clawed their way to a solid position, only seven points down at half-time at 24-17 but UWC’s class showed in the second stanza.
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