UWC hand Fort Hare a hiding
The Cape side raced to a 15-0 half-time lead before adding a further 15 points in the second half to claim maximum points, although, their goal kicking will be a cause for concern to coach Chester Williams.
UWC broke the deadlock with five minutes gone on the clock when wing Gordan Plaatjies grabbed the game's first try. The conversion was missed though but it was not long before the Cape side doubled their lead.
Flyhalf Aidynn Cupido grabbed their second unconverted try after eight minutes as UWC held a 10-0 lead over Fort Hare at the first strategic break.
UWC were on a mission to put as many points on the board as they could in the shortest possible time as their lead stretched to 15 points in the 36th minute, thanks to Jeremy Papier crossing the line after a strong maul. Once again, the conversion failed to find the target.
Fort Hare had no answers to UWC as held a comfortable 15-0 lead at the half-time break.
Four minutes into the second half and UWC were four tries to the good as captain Philbrey Josephs grabbed his side's bonus-point. Once again, kicking from the tee proved to be a problem for the Cape side.
Fort Hare finally got themselves on the scoreboard in the 49th minute when scrumhalf Misubukhosi Pienaar got himself over the line. Bisset failed to add the extras as the Eastern Cape side trailed by 15 points.
Cupido grabbed his brace on the stroke of the second strategic break to restore UWC's 20-point advantage as, once again, the conversion was missed. Things went from bad to worse for Fort Hare as Zanoxolo Qwele was shown a red card in the 65th minute.
UWC took full advantage of the extra man when they got themselves over the try line to make it a 25-point game with eight minutes remaining. There would be no further points added in the closing minutes as the Cape side kept their slim chances of reaching the Final alive.
Scorers:
For UWC:
Tries: Plaatjies, Cupido 2 , Papier, Josephs, AN Other
For Fort Hare:
Try: Pienaar
Teams:
UWC: 15 Marcus Kleinbooi, 14 Minenhle Mthethwa, 13 Courtney Cupido, 12 Lubabalo Faleni, 11 Gordon Plaatjies, 10 Aidynn Cupido, 9 Clayton Daniels, 8 Matthew Faught, 7 Matthew le Roux, 6 Philbrey Joseph, 5 Brandon Valentyn, 4 Jose Julies, 3 Tahriq Allen, 2 Peter Wanjiru, 1 Wayron Losper.
Replacements: 16 Keenan Douw, 17 Kelvin de Bruyn, 18 Robin Paulse, 19 Sabelo Dlamini, 20 Darian Hock, 21 Monre Lingeveldt, 22 Dean Herbert, 23 Wilbre van Wyk.
Fort Hare: 15 Akhona Matutu, 14 Aziyena Mandaba, 13 Luyolo Batshise, 12 Athiphila Mlotywa, 11 Asiphe Fihla, 10 Siviwe Bisset, 9 Misubukhosi Pienaar, 8 Athenkosi Makeleni, 7 Zanoxolo Qwele, 6 Siphelele Phunguzwa, 5 Sibusiso Sityebi, 4 TBC, 3 Olwethu Mputla, 2 Justin Antonie, 1 Bulelani Mdodana.
Replacements: 16 Mzingabantu Vitsha, 17 Lusindiso Nkomo, 18 Philisani Ncoko, 19 Malusi Vula, 20 Qhama Masiza, 21 Lukho Jongizulu, 22 Sibongile Novuka, 23 Asiphe Fanele.
Referee: Paul Mente