Two out of two for Varsity College, UP-Tuks and Madibaz, first victory for TUT

FNB Varsity College are continuing on their winning ways in the 2024 Varsity Shield after a solid victory at home over FNB UFH in round 2. Elsewhere former Varsity Cup champions FNB UP-Tuks thrashed FNB CPUT, FNB Madibaz kept FNB UKZN from scoring and FNB TUT were victorious over FNB WSU.

FNB VARSITY COLLEGE 35 – 16 FNB UFH

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

It took Varsity College a mere minute to get on the scoreboard when winger 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 halftime, the visitors’ Ryan Maree crossed the try line 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

FNB Varsity College 35 (7) - Tries: Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Frederick Marx, Jacques Marais, Juan Steyl, Werner Coetzee. Conversions: Marx (5).

FNB UFH 16 (16) - Tries: Ryan Maree. Conversions: Aphiwe Sidloyi. Penalties: Aphiwe Sidloy (3).

FNB Player That Rocks: Juandre Steyl (FNB Varsity College)

TEAMS

FNB Varsity College: Bunono Jabavu, Jacques Theron du Toit Marais, Siyabonga Luyanda Dube, Garren Müller, Werner Johan Coetzee, Juan Orde Steyl, Enzo Leo van Niekerk, Mandisi Khumo-etsile Nkutha, Abande Mpumelelo Mthembu, Frederick Nicolaas Marx, Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Michael Ayibongwe Ngwenya, Macmillian Zvikomborero Mudara, Philani Dwayne Khoza, Luke Christopher Horak.

FNB UFH: Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima, Kamvelihle Fatyela, Mbasa Kamvalethu Babele, Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, Cinga Nqotyana, Anda Simanga, Kamvelihle Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Sinalo Jivana, Apiwe Sidloyi, Okuhle Pangwa, Lakheni Majali, Ryan Kelly Maree, Salusiwe Gxekwa, Cyril Mphatsoe.

FNB UP-TUKS 61 – 10 FNB CPUT

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

The Stripe Generation opened the scoring when Kean Galant flew over the try line 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 winger 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

FNB UP-Tuks 61 (28) – Tries: Keane Galant, Tharquinn Manuel, Ethan Burger (2), Jonathan Smit, Bayanda Ngubane, Nqubeko Mkwanazi, Zander Reynders, penalty try. Conversions: Jean-Pierre Wentzel (4), Kyle Cyster (3).

FNB CPUT 10 (10) – Tries: Linton Maritz. Conversions: Oyintando Maseti. Penalties: Oyintando Maseti.

FNB Player That Rocks: Marco Venter (FNB UP-Tuks)

TEAMS

FNB UP-Tuks: Ethan Lance Burger, Allister Noel Williams, Dian Stephan Coetzee, Johannes Wilhelmus Marè, Roald Hattingh, Kamohelo Tlome, Hilton Gie, Marco Venter, Chad-Lee Valentine, Jean-Pierre Wentzel, Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, Keane Romaine Galant, Zander Reynders, Bayanda Ngubane Ngubane, Tharquinn Thane Manuel.

FNB CPUT: Emihle Akho Benya, Kéran Jayson Valentyn, Kieran Delaan Naidoo, Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, Duke Somila Shasha, Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, Ayabulela Zono, Jayson January, Oyintando Honour Maseti, Keenan Williams, Timothy Matthew Shortles, Iwaan Bloys, Linton Shawn Maritz, Keewan Titus.

FNB MADIBAZ 30 – 0 FNB UKZN

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

FNB Madibaz 30 (13) - Tries: Mekyle Solomon, Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, Kyle Erasmus, Andries Flemming. Conversions: Kehan Myburgh (2). Penalties: Myburgh (2).

FNB UKZN 0 (0)

FNB Player That Rocks: Chris Kachunguru (FNB Madibaz)

TEAMS

FNB Madibaz: Endinako Kuse, Kyle Erasmus, S'bulelo Roji, Dewald Gerber, Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, Leon van der Merwe, Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, Raashied Conrad, Kehan Myburgh, Troy Delport, Lwando Davane, Buhlebemvelo Fipaza, Henry Edward Frederick Kruger.

FNB UKZN: Benjamin Maseko, Qhawe Praiseworthy Ndabezinhle Nxumalo, Mbongeni Geco, Sikhona Cebolenkosi Ndulini, Mthomboyolo Buzani, Wilhelm Fenske, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Siphesihle Dlamini, Thando Sphesihle Cele, Minenhle Mfanelo Ngcamu, Somanga Lunathi Jho, Siso France, Singele Mkhize, Thato Tshepang Matsoso, Jarryd Nicholls.

FNB TUT 20 – 10 FNB WSU

Despite losing flyhalf Jamie Felix in the first ten minutes of the match, FNB TUT did enough to hang on for a 20-10 victory over FNB 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 halftime score was 10-03 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

FNB TUT 20 (10) - Tries: Jandre van Zyl (2) Conversations: Mauritz Maritz (2). Penalties: Maritz (2).

FNB WSU 10 (3) - Tries: Lukhangele Tshayi. Conversations: Yandisa Myokwana. Penalties: Tshayi.

FNB Player That Rocks: Mauritz Maritz (FNB TUT)

TEAMS

FNB TUT: Mxolisi Innocent Nzama, Jandre van Zyl, Lawrence Nong, Lwazi Lwandile Dlamini, Clinton Mbusowenkosi Ngomane, Knowledge Chaira, Lutho Luxolo Tom, Kgomotso Samuel Chuene Maribana, Buhlebuyeza Sthandwa Tebogo Ndunakazi, Jamie Felix, Tandai Chikohwa, Josh Sandile Robinson, Mauritz Maritz, Vuyani Vanqa, Ayabonga Thokozani Zakwe.

FNB WSU: Sinethemba Zwelonke, Mangaliso Zixesha, Ayabonga Masivuye Spelt, Kamva Tetani, Lutho Mampunye, Khanya Solani, Pernell Mervian Mandes, Sandisiwe Mkwayimba, Esenam Mniki, Maxwell Curtley Klaasen, Zenande Mdledle, Axola Mtyali, Awonke Sondishe, Simthembile Zozi, Lukhangele Tshayi.