At the end of the current season, the last-placed side on the combined 2021-22 FNB Varsity Shield log will drop out of the tournament. While FNB DUT remains in this precarious position after Sunday’s win, they have reduced the gap between themselves and FNB Rhodes to a solitary log point.
This bottom-of-the-table game was an error-strewn affair. Both teams buzzed with attacking intent, yet their execution and discipline let them down at key moments.
Neither side managed to seize control of the game. FNB DUT conceded a yellow card either side of half-time, as did FNB Rhodes. The extra space on the field did little to assist either team’s attack, as they continued to spurn scoring opportunities.
FNB DUT eventually held their shape to score through the fiercely determined flank Menzi Nxumalo in the 61st minute. Thereafter, an overly robust defensive approach resulted in two more yellow cards as well as a red for Thabani Mnisi.
FNB Rhodes crashed over in the 69th minute to get themselves back into the contest. They had a chance to score the winning try in the final minute, but flank Bradley van Heerden dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.
FNB DUT finished the game with 12 men on the field yet managed to hang on and claim their first victory in the FNB Varsity Shield.
Earlier, the FNB WSU All Blacks fired late to claim a 25-20 victory over the FNB TUT Vikings.
The FNB WSU All Blacks earned this win on the back of a determined showing in the closing stages. The Vikings, by contrast, relinquished their grip on the contest via a limp performance in the second stanza.
The FNB TUT forwards set the platform for a dominant display in the first half. Captain Laro Delport shifted from No 8 to hooker, and the move ensured that the Vikings pack outmuscled their more fancied opponents at the scrums, lineouts, and mauls.
FNB WSU’s discipline was poor, and scrumhalf Eric Mcaphukana was shown a yellow card for a reckless tackle after seven minutes. The FNB WSU All Blacks managed to score a try against the run of play, and the boot of Lwandile Mapuko kept them in the game.
Delport crashed over for his second try in the dying minutes of the first half. The well-executed Vikings maul ensured that they went to the break with a handy seven-point lead.
They lost momentum, however, when lock Kazadi Mukendi was sent to the sin bin at the start of the second half.
FNB WSU All Blacks started to make an impression via their mobile pack as the contest entered the fourth quarter. They may have taken a substantial lead if not for their poor finishing and four missed penalty attempts.
Their territorial dominance eventually told when flanker Ayabulela Zono touched down into the left-hand corner.
The Vikings won a penalty after the final whistle but proceeded to lose possession at the ensuing lineout. Ultimately, the FNB WSU All Blacks hung on to claim their first win of the campaign.
In the first match of the day, the FNB UFH Blues scored three tries in their 30-12 win against the FNB UKZN Impi.
Blues flyhalf Keith Chiwara missed an early sitter, but he made no mistake with his second penalty goal attempt and when No 8 Yamkela Mzozoyana crashed over from close range for a converted try they led 13-0.
Straight after the first-half strategy break, FNB UFH outside centre Ryan Maree beat an Impi defender before bouncing off another to score their second try.
FNB UKZN opened their account with a 24th-minute penalty try after Mziyabulela Bathu held back Impi winger Devandré Adendorf. The Blues No 14 was yellow-carded, but his team didn’t concede any points while he was off and Chiwara’s third penalty made it 23-7 at half-time.
FNB UKZN scrumhalf and captain Johan Maritz got his side back into the game when he darted over in the 53rd minute but the Impi were unable to add to their tally.
FNB UFH Blues wing Senanelo Ndlazi was yellow-carded with 10 minutes to go, but that didn’t prevent his team from scoring a third try through lock Ayabulela Xhosana.
FNB Varsity Shield Round 2 results and scorers:
FNB CPUT enjoyed a bye in round two
FNB UFH Blues 30 (23) – Tries: Yamkela Mzozoyana, Ryan Maree, Ayabulela Xhosana. Conversions: Keith Chiwara (3). Penalties: Chiwara (3).
FNB UKZN Impi 12 (7) – Tries: Penalty try, Johan Maritz.
FNB Player That Rocks: Keith Chiwara (FNB UFH Blues)
FNB TUT Vikings 20 (20) – Tries: Alwyn van Niekerk, Laro Delport (2). Conversion: Mauritz Maritz. Penalty: Maritz.
FNB WSU All Blacks 25 (13) – Tries: Miyelani Ngobeni, Asekho Marubelela, Ayabulela Zono. Conversions: Lwandile Mapuko (2). Penalties: Mapuko (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Miyelani Ngobeni (FNB WSU All Blacks)
FNB DUT 8 (3) – Try: Menzi Nxumalo. Penalty: Noah Pekeur.
FNB Rhodes 5 (0) – Try: Uza Nyanda.
FNB Player That Rocks: Menzi Nxumalo (FNB DUT)