If ever there was a game of two halves, the semi-final clash between FNB Madibaz and FNB Varsity College in Gqeberha was it. The debutants from Durban managed to turn around a 14-point deficit at half-time in a 24-20 victory over the more fancied Eastern Cape opponents.
With a 17-3 lead at the break, few would have bet against Madibaz marching towards the Varsity Shield final.
Varsity College had other ideas though. Despite losing their talisman flyhalf Frederick Marx to a red card, they rallied back to score 21 points in the second stanza.
There were also huge performances from their back three and the introduction of man-mountain Sonwabo Maseko proved a game-changer in their qualification for the final in their first year in the competition.
It was heartbreak for the men from Gqeberha, but they still have the chance to play in the FNB Varsity Cup rugby next year. That all depends on the outcome of their promotion-relegation clash against FNB CUT on 2 May.
Scorers:
FNB Varsity College: Tries: Sonwaso Maseko, Nkazimulo Mzolo, Nathi Ntuli. Conversions: Tshegofatso Ramaloko (2), Luke Horak. Penalties: Frederick Marx.
FNB Madibaz: Tries: Kyle Erasmus, Qurin Cupido. Conversions: Kehan Myburgh (2). Penalties: Kehan Myburgh (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Tshegofatso Ramaloko (FNB Varsity College)
Teams:
FNB Varsity College: 1 Daniel Van Huizen, 2 Jacques Marais, 3 Siyabonga Dube, 4 Robert Everson, 5 Werner Coetzee, 6 Juan Steyl, 7 Enzo Van Niekerk, 8 Mandisi Nkutha, 9 Abande Mthembu, 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Nkazimulo Mzolo, 12 Macmillian Mudara, 13 Mbasa Nkonki, 14 Sivuyisiwe Mpendu, 15 Tshegofatso Ramaloko.
FNB Madibaz: 1 Endinako Kuse, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 3 Andries Johannes Flemming, 4 Dewald Gerber, 5 Christopher Cikuru Kachungunu, 6 Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, 7 Alwaba Liyema Elam Bobelo, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 9 Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, 10 Rashied Conrad, 11 Lwando Davane, 12 Troy Delport, 13 Enrique Franks, 14 Qurin Cupido, 15 Kehan Myburgh.
