FNB Madibaz pulled off a stunning last-minute 27-24 victory against FNB Varsity Shield log-leaders FNB UWC in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.
In front of their fanatical home supporters coach David Manuel’s men called on every last reserve to snatch the win two minutes after the final hooter had sounded.
The lead changed hands throughout the match.
FNB Madibaz flank Sean van Zijl scored the first of his two tries in the sixth minute, only for UWC scrumhalf Conwill Conradie to dot down for one of his own minutes later.
Prop Qelile Hlonela scored the visitors’ second on the 20-minute mark but FNB Madibaz front-rower, Limana Chulumanco, showed that anything FNB UWC could do, he could do better.
But if one thing is certain about this FNB UWC side it’s that they never take anything lying down. They were straight back into FNB Madibaz’ 22 and wing Leachim Adams crossed the whitewash after a period of sustained pressure.
The next try was scored with a quarter of the match to go. FNB Madibaz played the now-wet weather to perfection, skidding the ball along the ground with a through-kick to enforce an FNB UWC handling error. Bukho Pantsi picked up the loose ball and went over to put his side back in the hunt.
With barely any time left on the clock, FNB Madibaz worked their way up-field from their own goal line, winning penalty after penalty until it was left to Van Zijl to seal the win with a try in dramatic fashion and send the crowd into raptures.
Scorers:
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Sean van Zijl, Limana Chulumanco, Bukho Pantsi, Caleb Friskin. Conversions: Caleb Friskin, Raashied Conrad. Penalty: Raashied Conrad.
FNB UWC: Tries: Conwill Conradie, Mihlali Tyanase, Leachim Adams. Conversions: Conwill Conradie (3). Penalty: Conwill Conradie.
Teams:
FNB Madibaz: 1 Limana Chulumanco, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 3 AJ Flemming, 4 Calvin Bosch, 5 De Wet Goedhals, 6 Dewald Gerber, 7 Sean Van Zijl, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 9 Cameron Doyle, 10 Raashied Conrad, 11Bukho Pantsi, 12 Lwando Davane, 13 Edward Kruger, 14 Emihle Zaza, 15 Layron Millborrow. Replacements: 16 Tlhalefo Kabelo Moleko, 17 Imibongo Mvuleni, 18 Lindokuhle Mba, 19 Martinus Strydom, 20 Johan Van Zyl, 21 Schalk Cannon, 22 Curwin Casper, 23 Caleb Friskin.
FNB UWC: 1 Hlonela Qelile, 2 Mihlali Tyanase, 3 Keanuh Michaels, 4 Logan Fortuin, 5 Michail Kasfikis, 6 Romauld Nsombamanya, 7 Nicholas Chipanje, 8 Leighton Damon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 10 Elkan Willemse, 11 Leachim Adams, 12 Braydon Booysen, 13 J'que Huckins, 14 Keith Syster, 15 Keno Alexander. Replacements: 16 Keagan Pietersen, 17 Franco Ceaser, 18 Melumzi Mandongana, 19 Danston Cloete, 20 Ishmael Karriem, 21 Leigh Braaf, 22 Bevan Simons, 23 Daniel Damons.