Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
FNB Rhodes broke a 13-match losing streak in the FNB Varsity Cup after finding their feet in the final quarter of their meeting against FNB DUT and won convincingly with 46-03.
The Stallions, facing the Rhinos for the first time, were dominant in the first half. However, they did struggle to put points on the board after scoring their opening try in the second minute courtesy of wing Cameron Marais. The Rhinos could only add a penalty goal three minutes later via the boot of fullback Nelson Mhlongo.
Proceedings subsequently dwindled into a scrappy affair as both teams misfired on attack and were left frustrated. FNB Rhodes finally broke the deadlock when they scored two quick tries through outside centre Damian Morrow and fullback Simamkele Ngantweni to take a 15-3 half-time lead.
The majority of the second half was equally frustrating in terms of points as the scoreboard was only challenged in the 57th minute when FNB Rhodes flank Athenkosi Nkewana flew over the chalk to score his team’s only bonus-point try of the competition.
The final 20 minutes belonged to inside centre Simelela Mbanzi as he collected two tries from strong and direct running, before replacement scrumhalf Dimitri Mngqolo raced through to score. Flyhalf Matthew Royle slotted all three conversions.
Replacement utility back Abonga Manka bagged the Stallions' eighth try to wrap up a 46-3 win that will go a long way in boosting their confidence.
FNB DUT did well not to concede as many points against the Stallions as they did against other FNB Varsity Shield opponents. They should see their participation as a learning exercise as opposed to a failure with the tournament certainly being a step up from what they are used to.
A special mention must be made of FNB Rhodes replacement loose-forward Viwe Makeleni, who represented the Stallions for the last time after joining the team in 2016 and becoming an integral part of the purple and white hoops.
FNB Player That Rocks: Simelela Mbanzi (FNB Rhodes)
FNB DUT Rhinos – Penalty: Nelson Mhlongo.
FNB Rhodes – Tries: Cameron Marais, Damian Morrow, Simamkele Ngantweni, Athenkosi Nkewana, Simelela Mbanzi (2), Dimitri Mngqolo, Abongo Manka. Conversions: Matthew Royle (3).