The pressure was on FNB UJ to deliver against FNB Wits and deliver they did against their Johannesburg rivals with a 29-24 win. In a game of two halves, Wits' second-half efforts had them leading with 24-17 with ten minutes to go before the hosts could manage twelve points during the last ten minutes.
In the first 40 minutes of the game, the hosts bossed the scrums and the breakdowns, with co-captain Johannes Terblanche enjoying a big game on the ground. They converted several attacking chances in wet and challenging conditions and showed remarkable fortitude on defence. UJ led 14-03 at the break seemingly on their way to an easy win.
The second half saw FNB Wits turning their mistakes made in the first half into a brilliant display of guts and heart, building some momentum in the second half. Fullback Setshaba Mokoena breached the hosts’ defence and was also involved in the visitors’ second try, which was eventually finished by No 8 Phillip Krause. Chris Humphries converted to level the scores with 20 minutes left in the contest.
A further try by Luhle Matyolweni propelled FNB Wits into the lead, after scoring 21 unanswered points to lead 24-17 with ten minutes to go. However, FNB UJ wasn’t done yet. Kelvin Kanenungo rounded off a point-of-origin try, and then Shaun-Christian Baxter held his nerve to slot two important kicks to complete a big win.
The result sees FNB UJ moving out of the relegation zone – for now. In the context of the current season, they remain in the hunt for a spot in the semi-finals sharing 4th spot with UP-Tuks with 15 log points.
FNB UJ: Tries: Darnell Osuagwu, Likhaya Tengimfene (1x7), Kelvin Kanenungo (1x7). Conversions: Shaun-Christian Baxter (2). Penalties: Shaun-Christian Baxter (2)
FNB Wits: Tries: Setshaba Mokoena, Phillip Krause, Luhle Matyolweni. Conversions: Chris Humphries (3). Penalty: Chris Humphries.
FNB Players That Rock: Shaun-Christian Baxter & Mpho Kubheka (FNB UJ)
Teams:
FNB UJ: 15 Nqubeko Mkwanazi, 14 Likhaya Tengimfene, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Indiphile Tyeda, 11 Ilunga Makendi, 10 Shaun Baxter, 9 Mpho Kubheka, 8 Kelvin Kanenungo (co-c), 7 Siyabonga Masuku, 6 Johannes Terblanche (co-c), 5 Brendon Pawson, 4 Philip Apea-Adu, 3 Frans Bezuidenhout, 2 Darnell Osuagwu, 1 Kayden Kiewit. Replacements: 16 Hloni Mphuthi, 17 Elizee Kwitonda, 18 Ntokozo Hlophe, 19 Connor van Buuren, 20 Babalo Makana, 21 Buhlebenkosi Qaba, 22 Kgothatso Sono, 23 Rowan Malgas.
FNB Wits: 15 Setshaba Mokoena, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Luhle Matyolweni, 12 Tiaan Schutte, 11 Azi Afrika, 10 Chris Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Phillip Krause, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Mark Snyman, 5 Edward White, 4 Cal Smid, 3 Ebot Buma (c), 2 Prince Mulea, 1 Jason Cloete. Replacements: 16 Dagan Meuwese, 17 Mikhaya Sonqishe, 18 Franco Groenewald, 19 Kyle van Eyssen, 20 Alexander Skudder, 21 Wernich Aucamp, 22 Keagan Lailvaux, 23 Siyabonga Xulu.