Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
FNB UFS Shimlas scored an 81st-minute try against the FNB Madibaz to record their first win (24-20) of the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup.
The Free Staters opted to kick a late penalty to touch rather than at goal, which would have given them a draw. And that bold approach paid off as replacement wing Luyanda Mkhize scored in the right-hand corner.
Much like the earlier match on the Tuks B-Field, proceedings were dampened by the conditions. However, it did little to prevent Shimlas from running from all areas on the pitch as they capitalised on Madibaz’s poor discipline.
Shimlas inside centre JP Duvenage knocked over four penalties to hand them a 12-0 lead at the first strategy break, before FNB Madibaz lock Hardus van Eeden crashed over from a lineout for an unconverted try.
The second half belonged to the men from the Eastern Cape as an early penalty coupled with two tries courtesy of wing Nkoka Ngobe and prop Le-Kleu Stokes gave them a slender lead, despite Shimlas scoring a try via inside centre Janco Klinck.
But the men from Bloemfontein snatched victory when Mkhize – who had just come off the bench – touched down in the corner, with Duvenage adding the conversion.
FNB Player That Rocks: Luyolo Dapula (FNB Madibaz)
FNB Madibaz – Tries: Hardus van Eeden, Nkoka Ngobe, Le-Kleu Stokes. Conversion: Tiaan Schutte. Penalty: Tiaan Schutte.
FNB UFS Shimlas – Tries: Janco Klinck, Luyanda Mkhize. Conversion: JP Duvenage. Penalties: Duvenage (4).