Final for Rhodes Rugby

Rhodes University Rugby Club will be hoping to make it three wins from three games when they face Walter Sisulu University (WSU) rugby side in the C division final of the University Sport South Africa National Institutional Men’s Rugby Championships. The event is currently taking place in East London.

The tournament is hosted by Walter Sisulu University, with matches taking place at the Old Selbournian fields, Buffalo Park and at the Buffalo City Municipality Stadium.

The event started on Monday, with the second round of fixtures taking place on Wednesday. The final round of fixtures will be played today.

In their first game against Limpopo, Rhodes won 26-12. Okuhle Fumba was first to score for Rhodes, before Matt King and Lyndon Lambert added further tries to give Rhodes a 15-5 lead at the half-time break. Devon Barnard scored the only second half try for Rhodes, while Marcus Nel slot- ted over two penalties.

In their second match Rhodes beat Zululand 37 -7. Keagan Deponselle scored the only points for Rhodes in the first half as Zululand took a 7-5 lead at the break. However, the team talk at half-time would have been just what the team needed, as it was all Rhodes in the second half. The Rhodes side scored a further six tries through Jurgen Stroebel, Devon Barnard, Thabiso Sithole, Jono Braans and Devon Barnard (2 tries). Marcus Nel put over one conversion. Rhodes team manager, Elize Everton said they were proud of the team’s performance so far, adding that Wednesday’s game was played in “heavy windy situations”.

Rhodes will be hoping to win the final against WSU, which could see them promoted to the B division, as well as taking part in the Varsity Shield next year. Everton said the team spirit is high and the players are focused for today’s final. The match starts at 10.10am.