FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International newcomers FNB Rhodes narrowly lost to FNB TUT Vikings narrowly defeated, in their opening match of the competition, 16-12, on Thursday (9 February) night in Tshwane.
FNB Varsity Shield presented by Steinhoff International newcomers FNB Rhodes narrowly lost to FNB TUT Vikings narrowly defeated, in their opening match of the competition, 16-12, on Thursday (9 February) night in Tshwane.
The match was played in full view of the roaring Pretoria crowd at the TUT main stadium as the home team started in a low gear, allowing the visitors space to make runs on the wings. Just nine minutes into the game, the visitors’ Uzu Nyanda opened the scoreboard with a try, making it 5-0 but his team failed to convert.
Just five minutes after missing a conversion, FNB Rhodes’s Mike Steel extended their lead with a penalty, giving the Eastern Cape-based outfit a seven-point lead over the hosts.
Despite numerous attempts for a try by FNB TUT Vikings prop Reginald Standers, the visitors’ backline remained rock solid.
Towards the dying minutes of the first half the home side nearly registered with a try through prop JJ Nelson, but the visitors’ defence stood strong once more, through their crunching tackles, leaving the scoreboard at 0-7 going into the break
Two minutes into the second half the FNB Vikings’ flyhalf Litha Vumisa pulled a try back leaving centre Ruaan du Preez with the conversion, allowing the FNB Vikings to take the lead for the first time in the match, making it 8-7. Just a minute later the visitors took back the lead, with a try. It was 8-12 to Rhodes.
With just three minutes remaining on the clock, the home side’s hooker Stanley Modjadji scored the team’s second try and Ruaan du Preez converted it, ending the match at 16-12 to the Pretoria-based FNB TUT Vikings.
FNB Rhodes coach, Qondakele Sompondo said that he expects his side to “polish up our defense and work hard on our ball retention skills as we had a couple more opportunities that we didn’t maximise on because of just poor hands and decision making”.
Sompondo said his side will be without captain Jono Braans for their home game on Monday 13 February, due to a quad injury sustained during their opening game.
FNB Player that Rocks was awarded to Stanley Modjadji (FNB TUT).
Scores
FNB TUT: 16
Tries: Litha Vumisa, Stanley Modjadji
Cons: Ruaan du Preez (2)
FNB Rhodes: 12
Tries: Uzu Nyanda, David Nel
Pens: Mike Steel
Teams
FNB TUT starting XV: 15 Bongani Zwane, 14 Tshepo Nyathi, 13 Jan van der Merwe, 12 Ruaan du Preez, 11 Arno Britz, 10 Litha Vumisa, 9 Charl Lombaard, 8 Daniel de Villiers, 7 Mpho Kganakga, 6 Mualaba Mukendi, 5 William Thomson, 4 Claude Johannes, 3 Reggie Standers, 2 Ratsaka Modjdji, 1 Jacob Nelson
Replacements: 16 Dalton Dreyer, 17 Shadown Ndlala, 18 Mandla Mdaka, 19 Lungelo Xulu, 20 Bongani Phangisa, 21 Viagian Groenewald, 22 Mfundo Gumede, 23 Bongani Mtshali
FNB Rhodes starting XV: 15 Daniel Coughlan, 14 Cian Waugh, 13 Okuhle Fumba, 12 Ryan Horne, 11 David Nel, 10 Michael Steel, 9 Yalusa Nodada, 8 Devon Barnard, 7 Jonathan Braans, 6 Kieran Skae, 5 Joshua Parsons, 4 Jethro Anderson, 3 Lukhanyo Tshongweni, 2 Uzu Nyanda, 1 Mwambu Njolomba
Replacements: 16 Chulumanco Jack, 17 Moalusi Matlakala, 18 Lwandile Mkosana, 19 Matthew Stapleton, 20 Ndimphiwe Maselana, 21 Ronald McCann, 22 , 23 Lyndon Lambert.
