Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
All eyes were on the FNB Madibaz upon their return to the FNB Varsity Cup and they gave a good account of themselves against the highly-rated FNB NWU Eagles. The Eagles started the game like a house on fire but ran out of steam in the second quarter. However, their replacements had the effect their management hoped for and secured a 47-28 win.
FNB Madibaz struck first in the scorching Pretoria heat when they sent the ball wide to winger Khakalethu Bophi, who dotted down in the corner. FNB NWU Eagles responded through promising centre Conan Le Fleur, who scored a try on his FNB Varsity Cup debut, and flyhalf Marco Donges’ conversion edged them ahead 7-5 midway through the first half.
FNB NWU Eagles hooker Gustav du Rand scored the first of his two tries from a clever lineout move that saw the ball returned to him, and when winger Pienaar van Niekerk ran in another try, the Potchefstroom side led 19-8.
FNB Madibaz flyhalf Christiaan Schutte’s second penalty, just before half-time, kept his team in the game, and they struck again straight after the break when flank Arnouw Nel barged his way over the line.
Du Rand then went over for his second try, before FNB Madibaz captain Luyolo Dapula scored his team’s third.
But two tries in quick succession from FNB NWU Eagles debutants Ruben Dreyer and Meyer Kriel (the latter’s a seven-pointer) made the game safe for their side at 40-21.
Replacement Chadwin November scored a well-deserved bonus-point try for the FNB Madibaz, with the FNB NWU Eagles grabbing their seventh on the stroke of full-time via Riaan Genis.
FNB Player That Rocks: Gustav du Rand (FNB NWU Eagles)
FNB NWU Eagles: Tries: Conan Le Fleur, Gustav du Rand (2), Pienaar van Niekerk, Ruben Dreyer, Meyer Kriel (1x7), Riaan Genis. Conversions: Marco Donges, Conan Le Fleur, Keagan Fortune (3).
FNB NMU Madibaz: Tries: Khakalethu Bophi, Arnouw Nel, Luyolo Dapula, Kholiwe Khonza. Conversion: Chadwyn November. Penalties: Christiaan Schutte (2).