Despite dominating the first 20 minutes of both halves of their first game of this year’s Varsity Cup rugby tournament, FNB Wits were defeated by FNB Shimlas, with the full-time score reading 21-26 to the Shimlas.

Initially, the match swung in Wits’ favour with Kwanele Ngema slicing through the Shimlas defence at the 19th minute to score the first try of the game. The conversion was executed by Warren Gilbert and the score read 7-0 to Wits.

Undaunted, the Shimlas continued to attack the Wits defence and their persistence paid off at the 25th minute when Marco Mason landed a try. Mason however failed to convert the try, and the score stood at 7-5 to Wits. Mason was thereafter able to redeem his missed conversion at the 30th minute after scrumhalf Dian Badenhorst successfully landed a try, tipping the scores towards the Shimlas.

Before the end of the first half, spectators marveled at the Shimlas technical excellence when Mason converted a try scored by flyhalf Niell Stannard. Scores just before half time sat comfortably in the Shimlas’ favour at 19-7.

Wits emerged from the half-time recess rejuvinated and hungry for a try. They tirelessly attempted to penetrate the Shimlas’ defence and at the 45th minute Wits lock Graham Logan furiously crashed over the try line. With a successful conversion from Gilbert, Wits players saw their score rise to 14 points.

After Logan’s try, Wits seemed set to emerge victorious as the commentators began to speculate over a possible win for Wits side for the first time in the team’s participation of Varsity Cup. The speculation was further heightened when hooker CJ Conradie snuck over the try line and a successful conversion from Gilbert put the score at 21-19 to Wits.

Much like during the first half, the Shimlas appeared to regain their momentum midway through the half and at the 71st minute, the substitute forward, Francios Steyn sailed under the poles bringing the Shimlas up to 24 points. With an excellent conversion from Mason, the scores read 26-21 to the Shimlas.

Despite determination and constant attack from the Wits side, the scores remained unchanged and the Shimlas obtained their first win of the tournament.

FNB Player That Rocks: Phumzile Maqondwana (FNB Shimlas)

FNB Wits: 21
Tries: Kwanele Ngema, Graem Logan, CJ Conradie. Cons: Warren Gilbert (3)

FNB UFS: 26
Tries: Marco Mason, Dian Badenhorst, Niel Stannard, Francois Steyn. Cons: Marco Mason (2)

FNB Wits team: 15. Lux Ntsepe, 14.Kwanele Ngema 13.Josh Jarvis, 12. AJ van Blerk, 11.Jarred Branco, 10. Warren Gilbert(capt), 9. Ruan Cloete, 8. Jethro de Lange, 7. Mike Renwick, 6. Ruan Macdonald, 5. Rhyno Herbst, 4. Graham Logan, 3. Luvuyo Pupuma, 2. CJ Conradie, 1. CJ Greeff

Subs: 16. Justin Brandon, 17. Ameer Williams, 18. Pascal Snyman, 19. Chris Worthington, 20. Wolta Mtsweni, 21. Brandan Hewitt, 22. Themba Mpemvu, 23. Brandon Palmer

FNB Shimlas team: 15 Sechaba Motsoela, 14 Marco Mason, 13 Carel-Jan Coetzee, 12 Stephan Janse Van Rensburg (C), 11 Vuyani Maqina, 10 Niell Stannard, 9 Dian Badenhorst, 8 Bernadus Erasmus, 7 Phumzile Maqondwana, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Neil Claassen, 4 Nicolaas Immelman, 3 Ruan Kramer, 2 Hanno Snyman, 1 Kwenzokuhle Blose

Subs: 16 Francois Steyn, 17 Johan Kotze, 18 Raymond Woest, 19 Musa Mahlesa, 20 Rewan Kruger, 21 Lihleli Xoli, 22 Nicholas Naude, 23 Thabiso Msiza

Written by Tammy Fray