Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
FNB UFH scored four tries in the final quarter to secure their first win (48-14) of the 2021 FNB Varsity Shield season.
FNB Rhodes dominated possession and territory for the first 55 minutes, but crucially missed goal kicks and touch-finders from penalties, as well as a misfiring lineout and handling errors, proved costly. The Blues played just two days ago while the Stallions had a bye, yet it was the former who dominated the final 20 minutes.
FNB Rhodes made an excellent start to the match when a penalty goal was followed by a try to lock Bongumusa Mokoena, who went over from a lineout driving maul.
The Stallions were a little too eager to rattle their opponents which saw scrumhalf Viwe Makeleni yellow-carded, and FNB UFH immediately scored a try through captain Yamkela Mzozoyana.
Lukhanyiso Tosholwana grabbed the Blues’ third before flank Intle Mancoko was sent to the sin bin. FNB Rhodes fullback Simamkele Ngantweni kicked the penalty to reduce the deficit to six at half-time but missed his next two attempts at goal.
Mzozoyana broke off the back of the scrum to score his second try for FNB UFH before Ngantweni’s third penalty for FNB Rhodes made it 22-14 in the 60th minute.
But by then, the Stallions had run their race. Blues flyhalf Keith Chiwara scored two sensational tries, with replacements Lwazi Madiba and Lukho Jongizulu also crossing the line late on.
FNB Player that Rocks: Lukhanyiso Tosholwana (FNB UFH Blues)
FNB Rhodes: Tries: Bongumusa Mokoena. Penalties: Simamkele Ngantweni (3).
FNB UFH Blues: Tries: Yamkela Mzozoyana (2), Lukhanyiso Tosholwana, Keith Chiwara (2), Lwazi Madiba, Lukho Jongizulu. Conversions: Merlin du Plessis (2), Keith Chiwara (2), Lwazi Madiba. Penalty: Du Plessis.