FNB UWC did just enough to overcome a resilient FNB UKZN side 44-31 at home in Bellville to get their FNB Varsity Shield campaign back on track.
FNB UWC scored an astonishing eight tries in their victory but left a total of 12 points on the field through missed conversion attempts as only two of their tries saw the extras added. That kept the nuggetty FNB UKZN in the game who came to Cape Town with a never-say-die attitude.
FNB UKZN scored half the number of tries, four, but converted all their chances off the boot through the educated tee of fullback Siso France who also slotted an early penalty to stay within touching distance of FNB UWC with only an eight-point difference with 12 minutes to go.
The Caracals showed their class, rumbling over two second-half maul tries, which could easily have been three, as hooker Mihlali Tyanase grabbed a brace.
Strong running inside centre Braydon Booysen and electric winger Leachim Adams scored two tries of their own as well. FNB UWC opened up an early 17-3 lead in the first half that FNB UKZN had to climb back from.
FNB UKZN clawed their way to a solid position, only seven points down at halftime at 24-17 but FNB UWC’s class showed in the second stanza.
Scorers:
FNB UWC: Tries: Leachim Adams (2), Braydon Booysen (2), Mihlali Tyanase (2), Conwill Conradie, Keno Alexander. Conversions: Conwill Conradie (2).
FNB UKZN: Tries: Sikhona Ndulini (2), Jovawn Visagie, Mthomboyolo Buzani. Conversions: Siso France (4). Penalty: Siso France.
Teams:
FNB UWC: 1 Hlonela Qelile, 2 Mihlali Tyanase, 3 Keanuh Michaels, 4 Logan Fortuin, 5 Michail Kasfikis, 6 Romauld Nsombamanya (c), 7 Nicholas Chipanje, 8 Leighton Damon, 9 Conwill Conradie, 10 Leigh Braaf, 11 Leachim Adams, 12 Braydon Booysen, 13 Bevan Simons, 14 Hlomla Ncana, 15 Keno Alexander. Replacements: 16 Keagan Pietersen, 17 Franco Ceaser, 18 Melumzi Mandongana, 19 Danston Cloete, 20 Ishmael Karriem, 21 J’que Huckins, 22 Keith Syster, 23 Daniel Damons.
FNB UKZN: 1 Lonwabo Nkalitshana, 2 Sikhona Ndulini, 3 Owethu Mntwelizwe, 4 Aphelele Dlamini, 5 Mthomboyolo Buzani (c), 6 Nhlakanipho Buthelezi, 7 Wela-Aphumelele Takata, 8 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 9 Milowo Matebese, 10 Minehle Mfanelo Ngcamu, 11 Luthando Mhlongo, 12 Singele Mkhize, 13 Jovawn Visagie, 14 Ramatuku Sikhakhane, 15 Siso France. Replacements: 16 Jordan Ramsamy, 17 Siyanda Dlamini, 18 Thabiso Ncube, 19 Amahle Dlamini, 20 Samkelo Mkhize, 21 Zak Smith, 22 Hlumelo Madikane, 23 Ntobeko Mhlongo.