Photo Credit - Varsity Sport
FNB UJ broke their 11-match FNB Varsity Cup losing streak as they saw off the FNB Madibaz a highly competitive meeting at Loftus Versfeld. UJ had to hang on to win 33-22 as Madibaz threw everything at them in the second half. Madibaz again showed that the ever evading win will come sooner than later.
An early FNB UJ penalty courtesy of flyhalf Jurich Claasens was followed by a try to FNB Madibaz captain fantastic Luyolo Dapula.
The lock’s efforts galvanised the Orange Army into action as they crossed the chalk via flank Brendon Pawson, hooker Darnell Osuagwe and lock Lunga Ncube with Claasens converting all three to provide a comfortable 24-5 lead at the break.
The men from Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, started the second stanza in the same fashion as the first with fullback Tiaan Swanepoel slicing straight through the defence to score a sensational point-of-origin try.
Ten minutes later, with FNB UJ centre Musawenkosi Tshabalala scored an epic point-of-origin try.
This proved to be their last try as FNB Madibaz capitalised on replacement hooker Pierre Rabie's yellow card to score twice through replacement hooker Tembekile Boltina, which secured their bonus point.
FNB Player That Rocks: Kwagga van Niekerk (FNB UJ)
FNB Madibaz – Tries: Luyolo Dapula, Tiaan Swanepoel (1x7), Tembekile Boltina (2).
FNB UJ – Tries: Brendon Pawson, Darnell Osuagwe, Lunga Ncube, Musawenkosi Tshabalala (1x7). Conversions: Jurich Claasens (4). Penalty: Jurich Claasens.
FNB Madibaz – 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Nkoka Ngobe, 13 Aya Oliphant, 12 Johan Lombard, 11 Kholiwe Konza, 10 Tiaan Schutte, 9 Gavin Mills, 8 Mihlali Mosi, 7 Siyamthanda Jwacu, 6 Arnouw Nel, 5 Dylan Halgreen, 4 Luyolo Dapula (c), 3 Warwick Griffin, 2 Duan du Plessis, 1 Ruan Jonker. Replacements: 16 Tembekile Boltina, 17 Hugo Pienaar, 18 Laken Gray, 19 Cameron Cato, 20 Wayne Moss, 21 Siphosethu Dlongodlongo, 22 Khakalethu Bophi, 23 Le-Kleu Stokes.
FNB UJ – 15 Boldwun Hansen, 14 Siphamandla Matsinya, 13 Nkondlo Radebe, 12 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jurich Claasens, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Kwagga van Niekerk (c), 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Brendon Pawson, 4 Lunga Ncube, 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Darnell Osuagwu, 1 Kayden Kiewit. Replacements: 16 Pierre Rabie, 17 Nkosikhona Masuku, 18 Coenrad Vrey, 19 Peter-John Steenkamp, 20 Philip Apea-Adu, 21 Mpho Kubheka, 22 Indiphile Tyeda, 23 Nqubeko Mkwanazi.