In a dramatic finish at Suzuki Park in Kimberley, CPUT edged out SPU 22-20 in their Varsity Shield encounter, with a last-minute try sealing the win.
The match opened with a penalty by Oyintando Maseti in the 14th minute, giving CPUT an early 3-0 lead. Their momentum continued as Lihle Kula powered through a driving maul to score a try in the 26th minute, though the conversion was unsuccessful.
SPU struggled with discipline, conceding multiple penalties, but managed to get on the board before halftime with a Khanya Kama penalty, making it 8-3 at the break.
SPU came out firing in the second half, with Tyron China diving over the try line in the 41st minute, and Kama’s conversion putting them ahead 10-8. CPUT quickly responded as Praveen Padayachiey scored in the corner, and Maseti added the extras to reclaim the lead at 15-10.
Aviwe Mpepo’s try and another Kama conversion in the 52nd minute saw SPU regain control at 17-15. Kama extended their lead to 20-15 with a penalty in the 57th minute.
With time running out, CPUT’s persistence paid off as Kyle Ahrendse crossed the whitewash in the 74th minute, and Maseti’s conversion secured a stunning 22-20 victory.
Despite a valiant effort by SPU, it was CPUT who celebrated a hard-fought win, proving their resilience in a nail-biting Varsity Shield encounter.
Scorers:
FNB SPU: Tries: Tyron China, Aviwe Mpepo. Conversions: Khanya Kama (2). Penalties: Khanya Kama.
FNB CPUT: Tries: Lihle Kula, Praveen Padayachiey, Kyle Ahrendse. Conversions: Oyintando Maseti (2). Penalty: Oyintando Maseti.
Teams:
FNB SPU: 1 Aviwe Mpepo, 2 Jan Potgieter, 3 Cassie Botes, 4 Kwandokuhle Dlamini, 5 Tumelo Papane, 6 Tryon China, 7 Sello Maketlo, 8 Gareth Maree, 9 Ethan Manus, 10 Leslie Ruiters, 11 Raees Sahabodien, 12 Khanya Kama, 13 Jaiden Faviers, 14 Liyabona Maplanga, 15 Bokamoso Maphisa. Replacements: 16 Kabelo Keagile, 17 Emile Noble, 18 Jaundre Le Roux, 19 Lihlumelo Gunguta, 20 JJ Fourie, 21 Fredrick John Eveleigh, 22 Fuzludean Siam, 23 Cameron Aubrey Primo.
FNB CPUT: 1 Ox Ngema, 2 Lihle Kula, 3 Kieran Naidoo, 4 Ntsako Mhlanga, 5 Nqaba Nkonyeni, 6 Praveen Padayachiey, 7 Lathitha Ratsibe, 8 Denley Adams, 9 Jayson January, 10 Oyintanto Maseti, 11 Noah Pekeur, 12 Philasande Ngcobo, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 14 Samukelisiwe Sandile Madonsela, 15 Keewan Titus. Replacements: 16 Kyle Ahrendse, 17 Gerald Ghambi, 18 Ashton Maloy, 19 Simphiwe Thabede, 20 Evan Plaatjies, 21 Clyde Frieslaar, 22 Jacquin Jacobus, 23 Keene Munnick.