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)