The University of Fort Hare Blues beat CPUT in a dramatic Varsity Shield final in Alice on Thursday night to claim the title and end the season unbeaten.
It’s been an emotional rollercoaster of a season for the Blues. Last month, the players and coaches were rocked by the death of their director of rugby, Elliot Fana. And yet, they managed to pick themselves up and finish the league phase at the top of the standings.
The players appeared nervous in the lead-up to the final, yet managed to maintain their composure against a fiercely competitive FNB CPUT outfit, who had won the previous two titles. CPUT held their own at the scrums and generated significant momentum from their maul. Fort Hare still managed to launch from their set piece, though, and a powerful drive by No 8 Yamkela Mzozyana culminated in a try for lock Ayabulela Xhosana.
CPUT continued to attack via their powerful maul and forced yet another infringement by the hosts. Xhosana was shown a yellow card and Fort Hare finished the stanza with 14 men. The defending champions would not be denied for long, though. Scrumhalf Hugan Engelbrecht touched down after half-time, while yet another maul resulted in a try for No 8 Roland van der Heever.
Flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders converted to give CPUT a 22-16 lead as the game moved into the final quarter. Fort Hare responded immediately, with Xhosana grabbing a second try, but flyhalf Keith Chiwara’s missed conversion left the hosts trailing by a single point.
While Fort Hare tired, CPUT appeared to grow stronger as the final whistle approached. Fullback Caine Stadler finished after an impressive build-up by the visitors, and suddenly the game – and the trophy – was CPUT’s to lose. But there was more drama to come. Snyders overcooked a clearing kick and the players went back for a scrum deep in CPUT territory.
The visitors defended for all they were worth, but made a couple of mistakes that allowed the Blues one final shot at glory. In the end, it was the Fort Hare scrum that had the decisive say. After forcing a couple of penalties, the hosts called for yet another set piece. When CPUT brought that scrum down, the referee raced towards the posts to award a penalty try – and Fort Hare the title.
The result marks the Blues’ eighth consecutive win of the season.
UFH Blues 28 (13) – Tries: Ayabulela Xhosana (2), penalty try. Conversion: Keith Chiwara. Penalties: Chiwara (3).
CPUT 27 (8) – Tries: Matthew Coenraad, Hugan Engelbrecht, Roland van der Heever, Caine Stadler. Conversions: Feghon-Leigh Snyders (2). Penalty: Snyders.
Player That Rocks: Yamkela Mzozoyana (UFH Blues)
Varsity Shield tournament award winners:
Player That Rocks: Keith Chiwara (UFH Blues)
Back That Rocks: Keith Chiwara (UFH Blues)
Forward That Rocks: Menzi Mabaso (UKZN Impi)
Photo: ASEM Engage/Dane Fortein
