FNB Madibaz bounced back from their opening-round defeat to Varsity College with a convincing 32-16 win against FNB UFH at Madibaz Stadium.
Madibaz flyhalf Raashied Conrad put the Gqeberha side in front with a penalty around the 10-minute mark but seconds later UFH hooker Bunono Jamani crashed over the whitewash for the visitors’ only five-pointer, duly converted by Blues No 10 Sinalo Jivana.
Shortly after the strategy break, Madibaz winger Emihle Zaza ran in for one of the tries of the season so far, bouncing off defenders as he charged towards the line.
While Conrad was unable to convert, he would get a second bite of the cherry four minutes later when NMU’s talismanic skipper Leon van der Merwe got on the back of a rolling maul and dotted down. This time Conrad made no mistake.
Jivana then came into his own, slotting three difficult penalties as Madibaz’ discipline dropped off towards the end of the half.
But just as it seemed UFH might take a handy lead into the break, Madibaz flanker Sean van Zijl scored from another rolling maul. Conrad added the extra two.
Van Zijl, who has represented Western Province U19 level, is certainly leaving his mark on the Varsity Shield, and it would be a brave man to bet against him becoming a future star.
The scorers were not disturbed again until the 69th minute when Madibaz centre Caleb Friskin slotted a three-pointer.
The result was put beyond doubt when replacement back Bukho Pantsi ran in for a try after a brilliant line break by Van Zijl.
Scorers:
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Emihle Zaza, Leon van der Merwe, Sean van Zijl, Bukho Pantsi. Conversions: Raashied Conrad. Penalties: Raashied Conrad, Caleb Friskin.
FNB UFH: Try: Bunono Jamani. Conversion: Sinalo Jivana. Penalties: Sinalo Jivana (3).
Teams:
FNB Madibaz: 1 Chulumanco Limana, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 3 Lindokuhle Mba, 4 Dewald Gerber, 5 De Wet Goedhals, 6 Johan Van Zyl, 7 Sean Van Zijl, 8 Leon Van Der Merwe, 9 Curwin Casper, 10 Raashied Conrad, 11 Cameron Doyle, 12 Caleb Friskin, 13 Edward Kruger, 14 Emihle Zaza, 15 Layron Milborrow. Replacements: 16 Tlhalefo Kabelo Moleko, 17 Imibongo Mvuleni, 18 Bahle Cengani, 19 Martinus Strydom, 20 Calvin Bosch, 21 Schalk Cannon, 22 Bukho Pantsi, 23 Lwando Davane.
FNB UFH: 1 Samkele Nzima, 2 Bunono Jamani, 3 Mbasa Babele, 4 Mpho Ramahala, 5 Kamvelile Gcweka, 6 Yanga Gazi, 7 Michael Mangava, 8 Abongile Yeye, 9 Anda Simanga, 10 Sinalo Jivana, 11 Bulumko Mfundisi, 12 Salusiwe Gxekwa, 13 Lutho Mene, 14 Mziyabulela Bathu, 15 Ukho Nomsatha. Replacements: 16 Inga Vellem, 17 Elihle Mtshemla, 18 Liyabona Matyana, 19 Liyema Hlitane, 20 Alizwa Majila, 21 Kamva Jenqa, 22 Lisolethu Jali, 23 Sibusiso Javu.