FNB Madibaz secured a 21-13 win over hosts FNB UKZN in wet in Pietermaritzburg on Friday evening.
It took the away team three minutes to get the first try in, Goedhals De Wet finishing off a move from the away team after applying constant early pressure which finally paid off. Fly-half Caleb Friskins did not waste the opportunity to add a further two points for his team as his conversion was good.
Both teams wrestled against each other, as both defences were tested, however, the score remained the same in the first strategy break with the away team having the advantage.
In the same phase as the first quarter, the away team again took another step forward with a successfully Friskins’ converted try. Sean Van Zyl capitalised on a FNB UKZN slip and intercepted from halfway off running all the way to dotting down over the whitewash.
The halftime score was 14-00 to the away team.
The second half came as both teams continued to test each other on strength and speed, with the home team looking on the better side.
The IMPI pressure finally paid off as young fly-half Siso France gave his team some points from two penalty kicks that he made no mistake with, taking the score to 6-14 into the second SUZUKI Strategy break.
The last 20 minutes were the most entertaining as FNB UKZN looked dangerous. Siso France finally made the pressure count, five minutes from time to take the scoreboard to 13-14 with a try he converted himself.
It was the best player in the field who silenced the home crowd with a last-minute Raashied Conrad converted try taking it home for the away team.
Scorers:
FNB UKZN: Try: Siso France. Conversion: Siso France. Penalty: Siso France.
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Goedhals De Wet, Sean Van Zyl, Leon Van De Merwe. Conversions: Caleb Friskin, Raashied Conrad.
Teams:
FNB UKZN: 1 Siyanda Dlamini, 2 Sikhona Ndulini, 3 Owethu Mntwelizwe, 4 Samkelo Mkhize, 5 Aphelele Dlamini, 6 Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, 7 Mthomboyolo Buzani, 8 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 9 Zak Smith, 10 Siso France, 11 Luthando Mhlongo, 12 Russel Fick, 13 Singele Mkhize, 14 Somanga Jho, 15 Jovawn Visagie. Replacements: 16 Qhawe Nxumalo, 17 Ntokozo Ngema, 18 Thabiso Ncube, 19 Amahle Dlamini, 20 Wela-aphumelele Takata, 21 Milowo Matebese, 22 Minehle Mfanelo Ngcamu, 23 Ramatuku Sikhakhane.
FNB Madibaz: 1 Chulumanco Limana, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 3 AJ Flemming, 4 Calvin Bosch, 5 De Wet Goedhals, 6 Johan van Zyl, 7 Sean Van Zijl, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 9 Cameron Doyle, 10 Caleb Friskin, 11 Emihle Zaza, 12 Lwando Davane, 13 Edward Kruger, 14 Mvelo Fipaza, 15 Layron Millborrow. Replacements: 16 Tlhalefo Kabelo Moleko, 17 Imibongo Mvuleni, 18 Lindokuhle Mba, 19 Martinus Strydom, 20 Dewald Gerber, 21 Schalk Cannon, 22 Curwin Casper, 23 Raashied Conrad.