It came down to the wire, but in the end, FNB UKZN managed to beat FNB CPUT 29-27 at the Peter Booysen Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
It was the visitors who scored first when Wiehan Kruger fought his way over the try line and converted himself. The Impis responded with a try by Cham Zondeki taking the match to 7-7. This was to be the score until the halfway mark.
It was a bumper-to-bumper second half as both teams were fighting for their lives.
Jarryd Nicholls dotted down for UKZN as he ran away with the ball. For CPUT, Kruger continued his clean kicking on the night when he slotted a penalty about 10 minutes into the second half.
FNB Player That Rocks Thando Cele made his way over the try line for the home team after he carved his way through the defenders to extend the lead of the home team. CPUT kept in touch with another penalty by Kruger.
Yolanda Miya added his name to the board for the Impis’ final try. Kama added the conversion and later on also a penalty.
For CPUT Karen Valentyn scored a brace, his second in the final minute of the match. It was however too little too late as UKZN ran out victors.
Scorers:
FNB UKZN: Tries: Cham Zondeki, Jarryd Nicholls, Thando Cele, Yolanda Miya. Conversions: Khanya Kama (3). Penalties: Khanya Kama.
FNB CPUT: Tries: Wiehan Kruger, Karen Valentyn (2). Conversions: Wiehan Kruger (2), Jayson January. Penalties: Wiehan Kruger (2).
FNB Player That Rocks: Thando Cele (FNB UKZN)
Teams:
FNB UKZN: 1 Benjamin Maseko, 2 Qhawe Ndabezinhle Praiseworthy Nxumalo, 3 Khanyisani Thabiso Ncube, 4 Yolanda Miya, 5 Sikhona Ndulini, 6 Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, 7 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 8 Amahle Dlamini, 9 Thando Sphesihle Cele, 10 Khanya Junior Kama, 11 Cham Zondeki, 12 Russell Adrian Fick, 13 Siso France, 14 Singele Mihlayenkosi Mkhize, 15 Jarryd Nicholls.
FNB CPUT: 1 Emihle Akho Benya, 2 Lihle Lindisipho Kula, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 4 Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, 5 Lwando Woji, 6 Duke Somila Shasha, 7 Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, 8 Ayabulela Zono, 9 Jaybee Hayden Filander, 10 Wiehan Kruger, 11 Keenan Williams, 12 Timothy Matthew Shortles, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 14 Linton Shawn Maritz, 15 Keene Munnick.
