Convincing bonus point win for Madibaz

Ill discipline was yet again the centre of attention when the FNB NMMU Madibaz faced the FNB CUT at the NMMU Stadium in Port Elizabeth last night.

The home team dominated throughout the match as they scored three first half and two second half tries, picking up a bonus point in the process, but five yellow cards in the last thirty minutes allowed CUT to score two tries as the game ended 34 - 13.

Madibaz scrumhalf, Enrico Acker scored his team's first try, fly half Ruan Allerston was unsuccessful to add the extra three as NMMU took an early 5 - 0 lead. 

 A few minutes later Acker was in yet again as he scored his second try of the evening, after Madibaz set up camp in the CUT half. Allerston was successful with adding the extras as they took a 13 - 0 lead after twenty minutes.

CUT captain, Frans Sisita was the first recipient of a yellow card after continues warnings from the referee resulted in him having to watch his team from the side line for ten minutes.

Madibaz made full use of the yellow card advantage as inside centre, Devon Lailvaux, scored his first try with less then ten minutes to half time. Allerston missed the conversion as NMMU took an 18 point lead.

Scores remained 18 - 0 as the teams went into the half time break.

Eight minutes into the second half, NMMU fullback Tythan Adams, crossed the line to score his team's bonus point try, Allerston added the extras as the game was pretty much over for the visitors at 26 - 0.

A silly off-the-ball incident saw two NMMU players yellow carded, with a third one two minutes later as the home team went down to twelve players.

Madibaz had to dig deep on defense as they kept CUT scoreless for twelve minutes.

With Madibaz back to full strength, Lailvaux scored his second and team's fifth try after a strong build up from the home team inside the vistor's 22. Replacement flyhalf, Steven Hansel was successful with the conversion as they took a 34 - 0 lead with less then a quarter to go.

NMMU was again on the receiving end of a yellow card, and this time CUT made full use as outside centre, Ali Mgijima, crossed the line for his team's first try. Flyhalf, Naude van Biljon missed with the conversion attempt, 34 - 5. 

A few minutes later CUT managed to score another five pointer, this time through left wing Masego Toolo. Replacement flyhalf, Jesse du Toit added the extra three.

For the second time in the match NMMU was reduced to 13 men as Adams received the sixth yellow card, but CUT was unable to add anything to the score board as the match ended 34 - 13.

The bonus point win sees Madibaz move up to fourth place on six points, one less then FNB UFS Shimlas on seven and two less then FNB NWU-Pukke and FNB UP-Tuks on eight each.

Scores:

FNB NMMU Madibaz (34) - Tries: Acker (2), Lailvaux (2), Adams. Conversions: Allerston (2), Hansel (1).

FNB CUT (13) - Tries: Mgijima, Toolo. Conversion: du Toit (1)

A call to support Madibaz

FNB NMMU-Madibaz head coach, David Maidza has urged the PE public, especially NMMU students, to come out and support the Madibaz on their home turf.

"It means so much to the side and the whole sports bureau when the students and public are cheering them on in the stands on match day."

Maidza encouraged the public to support the university by purchasing a Madibaz season ticket package, which includes tickets to all the home games, a Varsity Cup shirt or vest, and VIP treatment at the matches.

"We would like to start a trend at NMMU that we have crowds turning out to support and enjoy the spectacle of not only rugby but all sporting codes." 

To purchase season tickets, phone the University Shop on  041 504 4371. 

Find Madibaz4U on Facebook and Twitter. 

Reshuffle for Madibaz in mid-field

FNB NMMU-Madibaz head coach, David Maidza has made a few changes to his side that went down to FNB NWU-Pukke on Monday.

Madibaz will face last year's Varsity Shield Champions, FNB CUT, in Port Elizabeth this coming Monday.

The changes include a reshuffle in the mid-field, with Devon Lailvaux moving from outside to inside centre to replace Andile Jho. Creswin Josephs will move to outside centre to replace Lailvaux.

On the bench, Stephan Zaayman will replace Rudolph Odendaal and Eben Barnard will come in for Brain Skosana that moves into the starting line-up.

In response to the team's opening round loss, Maidza said they were constantly working on improving their strategies.

"We have intimately looked at our shortcomings in the first game and there is still a lot of work to be done."

"We have been working on our attacks as well as our defence and are hoping that in the next game we put those strategies to work on the field." 

According to Maidza the team had a positive outlook and were working hard to put a good performance together ahead of Monday's tussle. 

Kick-off will be at 16:45.

FNB Madibaz: 

15 Tythan Adams 14 Brian Skosana 13 Creswin Josephs 12 Devon Lailvaux 11 Yamkela Ngam 10 Ruan Allerston 9 Daniel Acker 8 Andisa Ntsila 7 Wynand Grassman 6 CJ Velleman (capt) 5 Tyler Paul 4 Rob Louw 3 Steven Robesson 2 Dane van der Westerhuizen 1 Arno Ebersohn 

Replacements: 

16 Warrick Venter 17 Brenden Olivier 18 Stephan Zaayman 19 Ivan-John Du Preez 20 Ivan Ludick 21 Steven Hansel 22 Eben Barnard 23 Marzuq Maarman 

Madibaz remain positive dispite loss

The FNB NMMU-Madibaz came within a stone's throw away from beating the FNB NWU-Pukke at the Fanie du Toit Stadium in Potchefstroom on Monday night, after taking a three point lead with 10 minutes remaining.

The cards were, literally, stacked up against them as they received one red and one yellow, resulting in two tries in the final minutes and ultimately a ten point defeat at the hands of last year's losing finalist. 

Despite their 36 - 26 loss, head coach David Maidza said he was impressed with his squad's overall performance.
 
"Given that it was our first game as a team and with us having a young squad, especially upfront, I’m proud of what the boys put out," said Maidza.
 
"I have a feeling that Pukke will have another season with a really good pack this year and our forwards did well to stand up to that challenge."
 
"However, their mauls were very effective and that is where they killed us; we just didn’t get out of our own half." 

He said he would be speaking to his team about putting too much focus on defence and not enough on the attack.
 
"There were a couple of issues with our attack, I don’t think it was as precise as it should have been."
 
"I feel that if we had developed more discipline and not given away as many penalties for them to kick into the corner, we would have come out with a better result."
 
However, he said it was early in the season and there was still time to improve.
 
"The three main areas we will be working on ahead of the next game are our attack strategy and ball protection, the sharpness of our one-on-one defence and, of course, our exits."

Madibaz next game is at home against the visiting FNB CUT, but for Maidza it does not mean an advantage.

"It is another chance for us to make sure that we concentrate, improve on our strategy as a squad and keep getting better as the tournament progresses," he added.

Castle Lager Super 14 Club Championship in its 3rd Round

Round 2 of the Castle Lager Super 14 Club Championship was played at the Adcock Stadium and Dan Qeqe over the weekend.

In Group A, Missionvale is leading the group on 9 points from 2 games. African Bombers are in second place on 7, St Marks third on 5 followed by Suburban on 4 and Gelvan Wallabies on 2 after two rounds. Glen Roses and Kwaru have both played one game each with no log points.

Group B sees PE Harlequins leading the group on 9 after two rounds, followed by Motherwell on 8 Parks on 6 and Young Collegians on 2. Helenvale and Zwide, after one round and Booysen Pride after two rounds are all on zero points.

Upcoming Fixtures:

14 February at the Wolsen:

14:00 - Kwaru vs Gelvan Wallabies

15:30 - Glen Roses vs Suburbans

17:00 - African Bombers vs St Marks

BYE - Missionvale

14 February at the Adcock:

14:00 - Zwide vs Young Collegians

15:30 - Helenvale vs Booysens Pride

17:00 - PE Harlequins vs Parks

BYE - Motherwell

Castle Lager to sponsor Super 14

Castle Lager has come on board as the new naming sponsor for the recently launched Super 14 competition, which enters its third week this week.

The sponsorship will see the tournament rebranded as the Castle Lager Super 14 Club Championship and includes match day clothing and equipment, valued at R5000, for the first place winner of the tournament.

“This really is a great opportunity for us and we are so pleased to welcome Castle Lager as the naming sponsor for the Super 14 competition,” said PE Metro Sub Union chairman, Stag Mitchell.

“We knew that there would be challenges in starting a new competition of this sort and funding is always a challenge, but it is something that we felt needed to be done and we had faith that local business would come out in support and that is exactly what Castle Lager have done,” said Mitchell.

Castle Lager EE and Events Manager for the Eastern Cape, Riaan van Jaarsveld, said Castle Lager had become involved in the tournament to give back to the community.

“We believe that sport plays a critical role in our society and can have a positive impact on individuals,” said Van Jaarsveld. 

 “One never knows where the next top player is going to come from and it is through tournaments like these that platforms are created for local talented individuals to showcase their skills and we are proud to be a part of that,” he said.

Van Jaarsveld said Castle Lager would also be promoting drinking responsibly during the tournament.

Poor discipline cost Madibaz

The FNB NMMU Madibaz travelled to Potchefstroom to face the FNB NWU-Pukke in the opening round of this year’s FNB Varsity Cup at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds on Monday.

The match was well balanced throughout the better part of the 80 minutes, but poor discipline in the last 10 minutes saw Madibaz receive 1 red and 1 yellow card resulting in 13 points for the home team.

Pukke opened the scoring through their fullback, Rhyno Smith, in the 13th minute to take a 5 – 0 lead after the conversion was missed by Dillon Smit.

Five minutes later outside centre, Rowayne Beukman, broke through three NMMU defenders to score his teams second try, Smit missed his second attempt at adding the extras as Pukke took a 10 point lead after the first quarter.

NMMU captain, CJ Velleman, opened the scoring for the Madibaz after continual pressure from the visitors, Ruan Allerston failed with the conversion as they trailed 5 – 10 with 5 minutes to half time.

Jeandre Rudolph scored Pukke’s 3rd try on half time, Smith took over the kicking duties from Smit but was unsuccessful with his 1st attempt as Pukke took a 15 – 5 lead at the break.

Madibaz winger, Brian Skosana scored his team’s second try and with Allerston adding the extras he narrowed the deficit to just two points, 13  – 15.

Dalen Goliath scored the Pukke’s bonus point try to stretch their lead by 10 points, after Smith’ conversion.

Continued pressure from the Madibaz saw them score two tries to take a 3 point lead with 10 minutes of play left.

The first came through a Tythan Adams try, Allerston added the extra three points. Left wing, Yamkela Ngam scored the bonus point try after a good passage of play from the visitors, Allerston failed with the conversion as Madibaz took the lead for the first time with 10 minutes left, 26 – 23.

NMMU’s Skosana received his second yellow card of the match which resulted in a red. With Madibaz down to 14 men and Pukke deep inside their 22, a driving maul was just too much for the defense as Dean Stokes scored in the left hand corner, as Pukke took a two point lead after a missed conversion, 28 – 26.

Madibaz were again on the receiving end when eighth man, Andisa Ntsila, received a yellow card for collapsing the maul and the referee awarding a penalty try on the 80th minute.

Warren Gilbert added the extra three, to give the Pukke a 36 – 26 win.

Scoring four tries, means NMMU finished 7th after the first round, with only FNB CUT not  picking up any points. FNB UJ and Pukke topped the log with Maties, UCT, Shimlas and Tuks all drawing their respective matches.

Madibaz’ next game will be at home on Monday the 16th against FNB CUT.

 Scorers:

FNB NWU-Pukke – Tries: Rhyno Smith, Rowayne Beukman, Jeandre Rudolph, Dalen Golliath, Dean Stokes, Penalty try. Conversion: Smith (1)

FNB NMMU Madibaz – Tries: CJ Velleman, Brian Skosana, Tythan Adams, Yamkela Ngam. Conversion: Ruan Allerston (2)

Kings accused of illegal poaching

EP Rugby CEO, Charl Crouse released the following statement after accusations of illegal poaching from the Leopards Rugby Union. 

“When EP Rugby engaged with Obi and Mahuza via their agent, Jaco du Plessis, we were told that neither player had a valid players’ contract in place,” said Crous.

“EP Rugby acted in good faith and, based on the above, offered both players an opportunity to join the Kings ahead of the Vodacom Cup competition,” he said.

Crous said after their arrival in Nelson Mandela Bay, EP Rugby had been contacted by the Leopards, who raised concerns over Obi and Mahuza’s relocation.

“Our understanding is that there are matters between the players and the Leopards that need to be resolved,” Crous said.

“While we cannot comment on the nature of the dispute, we can confirm that we are engaging with the Leopards to see how we can assist in finding an amicable solution for all parties,” he said.

Madibaz to face Pukke in opener

The 2015 FNB Varsity Cup kicks-off on Monday the 9th of February, with the 2014 runners-up FNB NWU-Pukke hosting the losing semi-finalist FNB NMMU Madibaz, at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom. 

Madibaz headcoach, David Maidza said he was pleased with his team's pre-season campaign after beating the University of the Western Cape and Police 55 - 10 and 32 - 13 respectively.

"As team management, Barend Pieterse, Tiger Mangweni and I were quite pleased with the effort that the boys put in." 

"We are grateful to UWC and Police, because we now know the key areas we need to hone for the first game," he said.

Maidza said his team's passion and determination was a driving factor for him as coach. 
 
"This is a young squad we have assembled this year and what a joy it is to see young student athletes blossoming in the sport and studies."

After being knocked out in the semis for the past two years, in 2013 by Maties and 2014 by Pukke, he said the Madibaz were determined to improve their chances at this year's tournament. 
 
"We would certainly like to make it to the final and be recognised for all the hard work that has been put in, not only in the preparations for this year's competition, but for all the previous years that we have not been able to make it past the semis." 

Maidza said the team had been working on building a solid defence ahead of Monday night’s game, as they have not beaten Pukke since the inception of the tournament.
 
“I would like the team to defend well first before we have the right to attack.”
 
“We are happy with our preparations and the boys are keen to get the competition going.” he added

Kick-off will be at 4:45pm and the match will be televised on SS1.

FNB Madibaz:

15 Jarryd Buys (cap) 14 Tythan Adams 13 Devon Lailivaux 12 Andile Jho 11 Yamkela Ngam 10 Ruan Allerston 9 Daniel Acker 8 Andisa Ntsila 7 Wynand Grassmann 6 Cyril-John Velleman 5 Tyler Paul 4 Robert Louw 3 Steven Robbeson 2 Dane van der Westerhuyzen 1 Arno Ebersohn

Replacements:

16 Warrick Venter 17 Brenden Olivier 18 Rudolph Odendaal 19 Ivan-John du Preez 20 Evan Ludick 21 Seven Hansel 22 Brian Skosana 23 Marzuk Maarman

NMMU Stallions to make Steinhoff Koshuis debut

NMMU’s Steinhoff Stallions will be the new kids on the block in this year’s Steinhoff Koshuis rugby championship, after winning the university’s internal league last year.

 

The Stallions will make their debut with a home game against the University of Johannesburg’s Steinhoff Bastion side in Port Elizabeth on March 2.

 

Formed in 2010, the off-campus student team was created to introduce a wider competitive element to the NMMU inter-residence competition, which was previously dominated by only two teams.

 

According to Stallions’ new team manager and former player Rico Rossouw, his players were well on track with their preparations and excited at the opportunity to represent the Madibaz brand.

 

“We are set on keeping the momentum going after winning the internal league and building our strategic game,” said Rossouw.

 

“One of the goals is to keep the attitude the same as previous years, meaning the respect, passion and love the team members have towards the game.”

 

Rossouw said Mark Edwards would captain the side during the championship and describedhim as a great leader who facilitates good communication with players both on and off the field.

 

“We lost a few key players who have graduated but the youngsters in the team are surely developing into Stallions with the guidance of the senior team members.”  

 

He said their first few weeks of training had been focused on conditioning the players to ensure they reach match-ready fitness, which will be followed by technical skills training and later game strategies.

 

After their first home game, they will play three away fixtures against Steinhoff Patria (Pukke), Steinhoff Medies (Maties) and Steinhoff Tigers (CUT).

 

“Not having home ground support at away games may be seen as a disadvantage, however it will motivate us to work even harder,” said Rossouw.

 

He described his men as motivated individuals, set on reaching their goals but always up for cracking a joke to lighten any situation.

 

“We’re not just a group of guys playing rugby, but rather a brotherhood with a love for the same sport.”

 

Issued by:

Full Stop Communications

On behalf of:

Madibaz Sport