The huge crowd that filled Madibaz Stadium on Friday afternoon could hardly have asked for better as their side romped to a 60-32 victory against FNB UKZN.
The emphatic win was noted as much for the way Madibaz bounced back from their opening-round defeat to FNB CPUT as it was the significant points difference.
FNB Madibaz veteran Kyle Erasmus scored the home side’s first try of the day, but his joy was short-lived as only a minute later, FNB UKZN winger Lwanele Gaba darted in from broken play.
Dewald Gerber gave the men from Nelson Mandela Bay the ascendancy again when he crossed the line seven minutes later. His try was followed up by one from his skipper, Eddie Kruger.
When star loose-forward Sean van Zijl dotted down for one of his own in the 36th minute, the result already looked to be beyond doubt.
FNB UKZN, however, were having none of it. Two minutes into added time, centre Frederick Malgas broke the line to score. The visitors then opted for a tap instead of a conversion and made it count when Abulele Bolotini went over.
Suddenly, it was a ball game again as the sides went into the tunnel at the break.
Unfortunately for FNB UKZN, that was to be the last time they were able to put any real pressure on their hosts.
In the second stanza, it became a try-fest for the team in blue, while Malgas and replacement back Jovawn Visagie scored some beauties for FNB UKZN, FNB Madibaz were simply too far ahead by that stage.
Scorers:
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Sean van Zijl X2, Johan van Zyl X2, Kyle Erasmus, Dewald Gerber, Eddie Kruger, Mtika Oliphant, Luan Verster, Corne Cloete, Jaden Witbooi.
FNB UKZN: Tries: Frederick Malgas X2, Jovawn Visagie X2, Abulele Bolotini, Lwanele Gaba.
FNB Player of the Match: Sean van Zijl (FNB Madibaz)
Teams:
FNB Madibaz: AJ Flemming, Kyle Erasmus, Imibongo Mvuleni, Dewald Gerber, Luan Verster, Corne Cloete, Johan van Zyl, Sean van Zijl, Onelisiwe Fani, Layron Milborrow, Jaden Witbooi, Qurin Cupido, Eddie Kruger, Mtika Oliphant, Caleb Friskin.
FNB UKZN: Abulele Bolotini, Jordan Ramsamy, Ntokozo Ngema, Asanda Zama, Ndabezinhle Ngubane, Mzwandile Khawula, Aphelele Dlamini, Ayanda Ngubane, Zak Smith, Juan Viljoen, Eloko Kayekeze, Russel Fick, Frederick Malgas, Lwanele Gaba, Siso France.