FNB Varsity Shield round 7 saw the Varsity College Comets topping the log and securing their promotion into the FNB 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 bottom of the log and will have to decide their fate in a relegation playoff against the top USSA side later in the year.
FNB Varsity College 41-29 FNB 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 the man which was converted by All Blacks number 10, Isiphe Mbini.
A few minutes later, the log leaders, Comets got their momentum going with a try scored by inside centre Mambo Mkhize, of which their flyhalf failed to make it a full seven-pointer, taking the score to 7-5 to WSU.
The Comets number 10 made amends of 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 flyhalf Mbini, as well as one more tries from Comets' Rober Everson, taking the score to halftime at 24-10 to 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 the final points for his side through a penalty kick.
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
FNB Varsity Cup: 41 (24):
Tries: Mambo Mkhize, Frederick Marx, Robert Everson, Allston Cedras, Juan Steyl, Cade Latham,
FNB WSU: 29 (10)
Tries: Sibulele Manyube, Azasakhe Phuwani, Sipho Hobosch, Ahlule Zokoza
FNB Player that Rocks: Frederick Marx (FNB Varsity College)
FNB Varsity College: Kabelo Matabola, Jaques Marais, Donell Francis, Robert Everson, Reece Curtin, Sinelifa Ncwana, Enzo Van Niekerk, Juan Steyl, Abande Mthembu (c), Frederick Marx, Edward Sigauke, Mambo Mkhize, MJ Schoeman, Allston Cedras, Chandler Green.
FNB WSU: Yanda Ndamase, Sibulele Manyube, Yoyisa Mahobe, Luvo Zindela, Siseko Mani, Pernell Mandes, Qhayiya Makhalima, Sipho Hobosch, Thembela Folo, Isiphe Mbini, Asisipho Jim, Asivile Ngcwana, Axola Mtalana, Ahlule Zokoza, Beon Hartnick.
FNB UKZN 17-36 FNB UFH
With the rain pouring on the pitch, relegation zone teams UKZN and UFH locked horns with the visiting team taking it home 36-17 to finish the season strong.
The match began with a beautiful early try from Bunono Jamani who ran over the whitewash as the Impi forces were 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 metres away to give his side a further points 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 team.
For the Impi, Russel Fick capitalised on some sloppy defensive work by the visitors, while for the Blues hooker Bunono Jamani completed his brace.
A few minutes from halftime, after some bumper-to-bumper play, Aphelele Dlamini confidently jumped over the tryline to dot down for the Impi to try to keep in touch.
At the stroke of halftime, Sinalo Jivana added another penalty kick to take his team to a 23-17 lead at the break.
The second half saw the UFH Number 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 in favour of the men from Eastern Cape.
SCORERS:
FNB UKZN: 17 (17)
Tries: Russel Fick, Aphelele Dlamini.
FNB UFH: 36 (23)
Tries: Bunono Jamani (2), Anda Simanga
FNB Player that Rocks: Sinalo Jivana (FNB UFH)
FNB UKZN: Siyanda Dlamini, Sikhona Ndulini, Owethu Mntwelizwe, Samkelo Mkhize, Mthomboyolo Buzani ©, Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, Aphelele Dlamini, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Zak Smith, Minenhle Ngcamu, Luthando Mhlongo, Russel Fick, Singele Mkhize, Ramatuku Sikhakhane, Jovawn Visagie.
FNB UFH: Elihle Mtshemla, Bunono Jamani, Liyabona Matyana, Liyema Hlitane, Kamvelile Gcweka, Yanga Gazi, Mpho Ramahala, Anda Simanga, Sinalo Jivana, Sakhela Siyamthanda, Bulumko Mfundisi, Lakheni, Majali, Takudzwa Rushiza, Lutho Mene, Ukho Nomsatha.
FNB Madibaz 45-27 FNB CPUT
Everything was on the line in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon as FNB Madibaz ending 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 against one of the form sides of the competition.
First blood was drawn by the visitors in the tenth minute, when hooker Kyle Ahrendse dotted down from a rolling maul.
Madibaz stayed, composed, however, forcing the penalty lineout, perfecting the catch-and-drive and putting 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 halftime, 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 Jacobus who went all the way.
The clock had already run down when Van Zijl scored his second of the day to give Madibaz a famous win.
SCORERS:
FNB Madibaz: 45 (19)
Tries: Tihalefo Moleko, Sean Van Zijl (2), Leon van der Merwe, Calvin Bosch, Kyle
Erasmus, Penalty try.
FNB CPUT: 27 (12)
Tries: Kyle Ahrendse, Iwaan Bloys, Philasande Ngcobo, Jacquin Jacobus.
 FNB Player That Rocks: Imibongo Mvuleni (FNB Madibaz).
TEAMS:
FNB Madibaz: Imibongo Mvuleni, Tihalefo Moleko, Lihlumelo Mantewu, Calvin Bosch, Martinus Strydom, Sean van Zijl, Dewald Gerber, Leon van der Merwe, Cameron Doyle, Raashied Conrad, Emihle Zaza, Lwando Davane, Edward Kruger, Mvelo Fipaza, Layron Milborrow.
FNB CPUT: Nkosephayo Ngema, Kyle Ahrendse, Kieran Naidoo, Simphiwe Gift, Keanan Benjamin, Odwa Rolosi, Nqaba Nkonyeni, Philasande Ngcobo, Denley Adams, Jason January, Oyintando Maseti, Iwaan Bloys, Carick Kustoor, Jacquin Jacobus, Matthew Pakeur, Keewan Titus.
FNB SPU 40-57 FNB UWC
Suzuki Park witnessed a dramatic Varsity Shield encounter as SPU stormed to an early lead, only to be overrun by a second-half surge from the 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 slapdown, SPU continued their momentum.
Jan Potgieter’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 halftime, SPU were firmly ahead, 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 33-33.
UWC then took the lead when Ruiters's 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
FNB SPU: 40 (28)
Tries: Thando Shiphalana (4), Bokamoso Maphisa, Liyabona Maplanga.
FNB UWC: 57 (7)
Tries: Romauld Nsombamanya (4), Aaron Swartz, Juma Amisi, Leigh Braaf, Melumzi Madongana.
FNB Player That Rocks: Romauld Nsombamanya (FNB UWC).
TEAMS:
FNB SPU: Aviwe Mpepe, Jan Potgieter, Cassie Botes, Tumelo Papane, Jj Fourie, Thando Shipalana, Tyron China, Gareth Maree, Tj Madjiedt, Leslie Ruiters, Liyabona Maplanga, Khanya Kama, Jaiden Faviers, Dwayne Lubbe, Bokamoso Maphisa.
FNB UWC: Hlonela Qelile, Mihlali Tyanase, Franco Ceaser, Melumzi Mandongana, Alexander-Jaco Van Der Merwe, Romauld Nsombamanya, Jean Visser, Leighton Damon, Matthew Stephens, Elkan Willemse, Shariq Davids, Braydon Booysen, Jque Huckins, Keagan Woods, Aaron Swartz.
SEMIFINAL FIXTURES
Semifinal 1: FNB Madibaz v FNB UWC - Friday 4 April, 2pm at Madibaz Stadium
Semifinal 2: FNB Varsity College v FNB CPUT – Friday 4 April, 4pm at Varsity College Durban North