The FNB UKZN Impi rebounded from a 14-point deficit as well as a red card to beat the FNB WSU All Blacks 23-22 in the opening round of the FNB Varsity Shield on Friday.
The match at Rhodes Great Field was an ill-tempered and ill-disciplined affair that witnessed a total of five cards – two for the Impi in the first half and three for the All Blacks in the latter 41 minutes of the game.
The FNB WSU forwards and backs combined brilliantly to cut the Impi defence to shreds in the opening quarter. FNB UKZN were their own worst enemies during this period, with winger Devandré Adendorf receiving a yellow card in the 23rd minute.
Flyhalf Lwandile Mapuko slotted a penalty as Adendorff left the field and added a try and conversion thereafter. At that stage, the All Blacks were 14 points ahead and well on track for a bonus-point victory.
Impi tighthead prop Uli Walker was shown a red card for a head-butt on his opposite number in the scrum. FNB WSU failed to take advantage of the situation, however, as their No 8 Uyinthando Fana was given a yellow for a reckless tackle right on half-time.
The All Blacks’ grip on the game began to slip when prop Lindokuhle Seteni copped a yellow for a high hit. The Impi – who had been restored to 15 players after the expiration of the 20-minute red-card sanction – struck immediately, with hooker Tristan Trollip crashing over from close range.
A loose pass by the All Blacks was collected by Impi fullback Jarryd Nicholls, who kicked the ball ahead for Adendorf to chase. The wing finished in a spectacular fashion, and Nicholls’ successful conversion reduced the deficit to two points.
Flyhalf Dawro Kock stepped up to slot a long-range penalty that gave the Impi the lead for the first time in the game. Mapuko had the chance to kick the match-winning penalty in the 74th minute, but his attempt fell short of the posts.
Earlier, the FNB UFH Blues forwards set the platform for a 13-3 win over the FNB TUT Vikings.
The Blues heavies set the tone in the 13th minute when they hammered the Vikings scrum to win a penalty. From there, they booted the ball into the corner, and skipper Kamvelihle Fatyela crashed over for the first try of the 2022 FNB Varsity Shield tournament.
FNB UFH would have led by more than 8-3 at the break if not for their misfiring lineout and poor finishing in the later phases. Their scrum – and loosehead prop Edwin Nxumalo in particular – was completely dominant.
Their momentum was curbed when Keith Chiwara was shown a yellow card at the end of the first stanza for a cynical offence – and yet they conceded only three points while the flyhalf was off the field.
The Vikings’ poor discipline eventually cost them when fullback Mauritz Maritz was sent to the sin bin in the 57th minute. Blues centre Migocobo Bovu proceeded to smash through the Vikings' defence and propel his side into a 10-point lead.
While the Vikings finished strongly, the FNB UFH defence maintained its shape to deny their opponents a try – and ultimately a losing bonus point.
In the final match of the day, FNB CPUT began their title defence with a 38-7 win against hosts FNB Rhodes.
Two converted tries, by No 8 Eely Pieters and right-wing Christopher Andrews, gave the champions a 14-0 half-time lead.
Lock Moegamat Toffar crossed the line early in the second half for FNB CPUT, before the Stallions finally got on the board, in the 54th minute, when outside centre Jano Roux scored a converted try.
FNB CPUT claimed their bonus-point try through flank Keanan Solomons and flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders’ fourth conversion made it 28-7.
Outside centre Björkan Hendricks and replacement Duran Alexander then scored late tries to round off a convincing victory.
FNB Varsity Shield Round 1 results and scorers:
FNB UFH Blues 13 (8) – Tries: Kamvelihle Fatyela, Migcobo Bovu; Penalty: Keith Chiwara.
FNB TUT Vikings 3 (3) – Penalty: Mauritz Maritz
FNB Player That Rocks: Migcobo Bovu (FNB UFH Blues)
FNB WSU All Blacks 22 (22) – Tries: Sicelo Tole, Ayabulela Zono, Lwandile Mapuko. Conversions: Mapuko (2), Penalty: Mapuko
FNB UKZN Impi 23 (8) – Tries: Menzi Mabaso, Tristan Trollip, Devandré Adendorf; Conversion: Jarryd Nicholl; Penalties: Dawro Kock (2)
FNB Player That Rocks: Menzi Mabaso (FNB UKZN Impi)
FNB Rhodes 7 (0) – Try: Jano Roux; Conversion: Siyolise Mabodla.
FNB CPUT 38 (14) – Tries: Eely Pieters, Christopher Andrews, Moegamat Toffar, Keanan Solomons, Björkan Hendricks, Duran Alexander; Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (4)
FNB Player That Rocks: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (FNB CPUT)