It's a one-point game in Shield scramble

ROUND THREE WRAP: Only one point separates the top three teams on the 2024 Varsity Shield standings after round three.

UP-Tuks, debutants Varsity College and Madibaz are the only unbeaten teams in the competition.

At the bottom of the standings, CPUT registered their first win of the season.

MADIBAZ 31-6 UFH

Madibaz made it three out of three when they beat Eastern Cape neighbours UFH 31-6 in Gqeberha.

The Alice-based team were however the ones that came out the gate like men possessed and even though they were playing against the wind, managed to put the Madibaz under huge pressure.

Flyhalf Aphiwe Sidloyi was on song with the boot to kick two penalties that signalled the visitors were here to play.

Madibaz started to find their rhythm after UFH’s opening salvo and a succession of penalties by wing Kehan Myburgh gave them a slender 9-6 lead at the half-time break.

The second half proved to be a completely different story, much to UFH’s disappointment as playing the full 80 minutes was something they had talked up during the week.

From the moment Madibaz hooker Kyle Erasmus crossed the whitewash minutes after the break there was only one side in it. The cohesion they had lacked in the first half came flooding back, resulting in three more tries through Leon van der Merwe, Lwando Davane and Andries Fleming. UFH simply had no answer and suffered their third successive loss.

SCORERS

For Madibaz

Tries: Kyle Erasmus, Leon van der Merwe, Lwando Davane, Andries Fleming

Con: Kehan Myburgh

Pens: Kehan Myburgh 3

For UFH

Pens: Apiwe Sidloyi 2

Player That Rocks: Troy Delport (Madibaz)

Teams

Madibaz: 15 Bryce Sven Collins, 14 Qurin Cupido, 13 Lwando Davane, 12 Troy Delport, 11 Kehan Myburgh, 10 Raashied Conrad, 9 Mpumelelo Solani Mavuso, 8 Leon van der Merwe, 7 De Wet Goedhals, 6 Mzwakhe Kevin Hlupheko, 5 Mekyle Recodin Solomon, 4 Dewald Gerber, 3 Andries Johannes Flemming, 2 Kyle Erasmus, 1 Endinako Kuse.

UFH: 15 Cyril Mphatsoe, 14 Bulumko Mfundisi, 13 Lakheni Majali, 12 Ryan Kelly Maree, 11 Okuhle Pangwa, 10 Apiwe Sidloyi, 9 Sinalo Jivana, 8 Kamvelihle Fatyela, 7 Chulumanco Boya, 6 Anda Simanga, 5 Cinga Nqotyana, 4 Mpho Kensly Jnr Ramahala, 3 Bulela Magopeni, 2 Bunono Jamani, 1 Mesuli Sinovuyo Samkele Nzima,

Referee: JD de Meyer

VARSITY COLLEGE 28-6 UKZN

Varsity College continued to impress in their debut season when they scored a well-deserved 28-6 victory over UKZN in the first-ever all-KZN derby at the Howard College Stadium.

It was the Impis however who started strongly when Siso France slotted an early penalty following some good pressure on the opposition. The back-and-forth contest continued in the first 15 minutes with UKZN coming out on top.

Shortly before the first strategy break, Varsity College finally broke the deadlock when Jacques Marais scored his try from a line-out close to the line. Frederick Marx successfully converted.

The momentum then shifted even further in Varsity College’s direction when Sonwabo Maseko scored a hard-fought try under the poles that was initiated by their forwards. Marx had no trouble in adding the extra two points to take his team to a 14-6 half-time lead.

After the break, it was all Varsity College with no response from UKZN. First, it was Luke Horak who made a good steal and made it to the white line. A try by Dylan Beukes added the bonus point. Marx converted both second-half tries.

SCORERS:

For Varsity College

Tries: Jacques Marais, Sonwabo Maseko, Luke Horak, Dylan Beukes

Cons: Frederick Marx 4

For UKZN

Pens: Siso France 2

Player That Rocks: Juan Steyl (Varsity College)

Teams

Varsity College: 15 Luke Christopher Horak, 14 Mbasa Nkonki, 13 Macmillian Zvikomborero Mudara, 12 Michael Ayibongwe Ngwenya, 11 Tshegofatso Ramaloko, 10 Frederick Nicolaas Marx, 9 Abande Mpumelelo Mthembu, 8 Mandisi Khumo-etsile Nkutha, 7 Enzo Leo van Niekerk, 6 Juan Orde Steyl, 5 Werner Johan Coetzee, 4 Robert Anton Everson, 3 Siyabonga Luyanda Dube, 2 Jacques Theron du Toit Marais, 1 Sonwabo Simthembile Maseko.

UKZN: 15 Cham Zondeki, 14 Thato Tshepang Matsoso, 13 Russell Adrian Fick, 12 Singele Mkhize, 11 Ntobeko Mhlongo, 10 Siso France, 9 Thando Sphesihle Cele, 8 Siphesihle Dlamini, 7 Tinotenda Mazhindu, 6 Wela-Aphumele Mnata Takata, 5 Nhlakanipho Ntando Hleloluhle Mathonsi, 4 Wilhelm Fenske, 3 Ulrich Cameron Walker, 2 Sikhona Cebolenkosi Ndulini, 1 Benjamin Maseko.

Referee: Giana Viljoen

TMO: Archie Sehlako

UP-TUKS 41-17 WSU

UP-Tuks are well on their way to getting back to where they want to be following a comprehensive 41-17 victory over WSU at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium. The former Varsity Cup champions are now at the top of the standings.

The match kicked off with a blistering start for Tuks, as tighthead prop Jacobus Johan Louw crossed the whitewash within the first four minutes. The conversion was successful, setting the tone for Tuks' early dominance. However, the WSU All Blacks quickly rallied back, securing a penalty through the precise boot of flyhalf Isiphe Mbini.

Tuks continued to assert their authority, doubling their try tally before the strategy break with lock Jannes Mare making his mark. The Stripe Generation extended their lead with an additional try just before half-time, courtesy of eight-man Marco Venter. As the teams headed into the break, Tuks held a commanding 21-3 lead.

The second half saw WSU opening the scoring, as hooker Mangaliso Zixesha added his name to the scoresheet from a rolling maul. Winger Simthembile Zozi further fuelled the comeback, intercepting and galloping almost 80 meters to score under the posts, narrowing the gap to just four points.

However, Tuks responded with resilience, as substitute flanker Dillon Shane Smith's try and a penalty try following scrum issues for WSU added crucial points to the Stripe Generation's lead. In the dying moments of the game, flanker Hilton Gie secured their sixth try, sealing a comprehensive victory.

SCORERS:

For UP-Tuks

Tries: Jacobus Louw, Johannes Marè, Marco Venter, Dillon Shane Smith, Penalty try, Hilton Gie

Cons: Jean-Pierre Wentzel 4, penalty try does not require a conversion

For WSU

Tries: Mangaliso Zixesha, Simthembile Zozi

Cons: Isiphe Mbindi 2

Pen: Isipe Mbini

Player That Rocks: Marco Venter (UP-Tuks)

Teams

WSU:15 Lukhangele Tshayi, 14 Simthembile Zozi, 13 Awonke Sondishe, 12 Hlumelo Zitha, 11 Bulelani Amyoli Nondlwana, 10 Isipe Leo Mbini, 9 Esenam Mniki, 8 Esethu Zenani, 7 Pernell Mervian Mandes, 6 Khanya Solani, 5 Hlomla Mihlali Payi, 4 Kamva Tetani, 3 Ayabonga Masivuye Spelt, 2 Mangaliso Zixesha, 1 Sinethemba Zwelonke.

UP-Tuks: 15 Tharquinn Thane Manuel, 14 Nqubeko Sbongakonke Mkwanazi, 13 Zander Reynders, 12 Keane Romaine Galant, 11 Bayanda Ngubane Ngubane, 10 Jean-Pierre Wentzel, 9 Chad-Lee Valentine, 8 Marco Venter, 7 Hilton Gie, 6 Kamohelo Tlome, 5 Roald Hattingh, 4 Johannes Wilhelmus Marè, 3 Jacobus Johan Louw, 2 Henry Edwin Till, 1 Bambolunye Samkelo Dlamini.

Referee: Hernus Coetzee

CPUT 15-13 TUT

A clinical opening half by CPUT helped them edge past TUT 15-13 at home in Cape Town to claim their first win in this year’s Varsity Shield.

The two-time champions are in a serious rebuilding phase and CPUT capitalised on their territory and possession, running in a brilliant first-half try courtesy of Iwaan Bloys handing them a halftime score of 7-3.

Despite a host of errors by both sides, it was CPUT who came out tops with a very disciplined display of determination and skills. Telling runs by Keenan Williams, Ayabulela Zono, and Keewan Titus meant that the possession favoured the home side.

The home side dominated the scrums and with this advantage, it was Oyintando Maseti who darted through two would-be TUT defenders for his side’s second try.

A late surge in the 72nd minute by TUT saw Kgomotso Maribana gather the ball at the back of a rolling maul to dive over. This was followed up with a second TUT try when Josh Robinson went over handing the visitors the lead for the first time, 12-13.

It was, however, not to be the fairy tale come-from-behind win for TUT as Linton Maritz slotted a 79th-minute penalty for a 15-13 CPUT victory.

SCORERS:

For CPUT

Tries: Iwaan Bloys, Oyintando Maseti

Con: Oyintando Maseti

Pen: Linton Marit

For TUT

Tries: Kgomotso Maribana, Josh Robinson

Pen. Mauritz Maritz.

Player That Rocks: Oyintando Maseti (CPUT)

Teams

CPUT: 15 Keewan Titus, 14 Danielle Israel Padiachy, 13 Iwaan Bloys, 12 Timothy Matthew Shortles, 11 Keenan Williams, 10 Oyintando Honour Maseti, 9 Jayson January, 8 Ayabulela Zono, 7 Lungelo Lethukuthula Kubheka, 6 Duke Somila Shasha, 5 Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, 4 Ntsako Ashley Mhlanga, 3 Kieran Delaan Naidoo, 2 Kéran Jayson Valentyn, 1 Emihle Akho Benya.

TUT: 15 Ayabonga Thokozani Zakwe, 14 Vuyani Vanqa, 13 Mauritz Maritz, 12 Josh Sandile Robinson, 11 Sipho Jnr S’thembiso Malaza, 10 Mihlali Sipho Bam, 9 Buhlebuyeza Sthandwa Tebogo Ndunakazi, 8 Kgomotso Samuel Chuene Maribana, 7 Lutho Luxolo Tom, 6 Knowledge Chaira, 5 Clinton Mbusowenkosi Ngomane, 4 Lwazi Lwandile Dlamini, 3 Lawrence Nong, 2 Jandre van Zyl, 1 Mxolisi Innocent Nzama.

Referee: Eon van Zyl

Source: @varsityshield