All Blacks overpower Impi for second win
THE Walter Sisulu University All Blacks fairytale start to their maiden FNB Varsity Shield campaign continued as they downed the University of KwaZulu-Natal Impi 42-21 at the BCM Stadium last night.
It was their second bonus point win of the competition and consolidated their spot at the top of the Shield table.
It was a superb performance from the hosts that shocked the visitors, who had got off to a fast start but fell away as the match wore on.
Early mistakes from the hosts threatened to derail their challenge as the visitors went two tries up within 10 minutes.
First the All Blacks’ mistake from the kick-off allowed UKZN possession in WSU’s half and the visitors worked their way into the red zone, where lock Sphephelo Mabuza crashed over from close range to the left of the posts after four minutes.
Centre Taigh Schoor slotted the conversion to put UKZN 8-0 (conversions count as three points and penalties as two in the Varsity Shield) up.
Six minutes later after earning a penalty in the middle of the park, the Impi kicked to touch, secured the line out and from a ruck on the 22m sent the ball to the short side, where fullback Michael Sibiya received the ball and brushed off two tackle attempts to go over in the left corner for an unconverted try.
The Impi’s weak discipline then turned the match on its head.
First outside centre Paki Mosiea received a yellow card for a shoulder charge in the 16th minute and, four minutes later, the All Blacks used the extra man to force some space out wide with right wing Khanyiso Roloma going over in the right hand corner for an unconverted score.
Two more yellow cards – to wing Sibonakaliso Dubazane and scrum half Langelihle Shange for repeated break down infringements and a high tackle respectively – effectively meant they had to spend 10 minutes with 13 men.
The All Blacks used their numerical advantage and dotted down twice during that time, with wing Ntando Mfengu finding space out wide after a try to score in the left hand corner and centre Luzuko Mafu scoring next to the left hand uprights after receiving a great ball from flyhalf Nkululeko Ndlovu to burst through the midfield.
Fullback Zizipho Kayi slotted the second of those tries as WSU took an 18-13 lead into the half time break.
In the 49th minute Mfengu, of the All Blacks, scored his second try in the left corner, with Kayi’s conversion putting them 26-13 up.
Some good back and forth play from both teams saw the All Blacks and the Impi cancel each other out until the second strategy break on 60 minutes.
Straight after the break UKZN had a great chance to reduce the deficit but lost the ball on WSU’s line, allowing the All Blacks to make a break into the Impi’s half.
The All Blacks sealed the win and the bonus point in the 70th minute when flyhalf Ndlovu chased down a grubber kick from centre Mafu to dive on the ball in the left hand corner and got up to slot the touchline conversion for a 34-13 lead.
UKZN managed a consolation score with a minute left but WSU hit straight back as Ndlovu scored his second try and converted on the full time hooter to seal a famous win.