All Blacks stun Blues to take Varsity Shield win

A BRILLIANT performance from the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks in their debut FNB Varsity Shield match saw them shock their hosts, the Fort Hare Blues, 33-12 at a packed Davidson rugby stadium in Alice last night.

At first the two sides seemed evenly matched, going into the half-time break level. However, an inspired WSU came out in the second half and powered away for a superb win and the perfect start to their maiden Varsity Shield campaign.

A frantic start to the first half ended with the hosts taking an early lead, with flyhalf Jeandre Christian converting a penalty in the third minute. The All Blacks responded in the 14th minute with a penalty as fullback Zizipho Kayi slotted a tricky effort from out wide on the left after the Blues collapsed a driving maul on their own 22m line.

A yellow card to Fort Hare’s Christian in the 24th minute for stealing the ball in the red zone allowed Kayi to put the visitors ahead.

Three minutes later WSU capitalised on a Fort Hare mistake as winger Ntando Mfengu seized on a dropped ball on the halfway and streaked away down the left hand touch to go over, with Kayi’s conversion putting them ahead.

A stirring fightback from the hosts levelled the scores going into half-time as first Christian slotted a penalty and then wing Zayne Farmers scored a converted try on the half-time hooter.

In the second half the All Blacks ran in three tries, two converted, to power away.

First WSU flank Lubabalo Lento crashed over in the left hand corner in the 46th minute.

Inside centre Luzuko Mafu then sliced through a gap after getting the ball on the 22m before driving over the line.

A yellow card to WSU lock Mihlali Mosi in the 59th minute could not stop the rampant All Blacks as replacement back Luyolo Batshise went over in the 63rd minute to secure the bonus point.