WSU buries Rhodes 45-15
Rhodes University took on fifth-placed Walter Sisulu University (WSU) in their penultimate Varsity Shield game on the Rhodes Great Field on Monday evening. The hosts were still seeking to improve on their previous four encounters without a win during their debut season in this year’s Varsity Shield.
An early try was scored by the visitors, courtesy of their number 4 lock, Athenkosi Khethani, who took advantage of the poor weather conditions that disrupted play for both sides, capitalising on Rhodes’s misfortunes. His five-pointer was successfully converted by flyhalf Sinegugu Lituka who made the score in the opening minutes 8-0.
Rhodes hit back with an immediate reply by outside centre Nic Butler, who scored a magnificent try in the corner.
Flyhalf Ryan Horne was unfortunate not to slot the ball between the sticks which left the score at 8-5, with the home side trailing.
Moments later, some good lineout play resulted in a try for the hosts, scored by Uzu Nyanda which was not converted and that left the score at 10-8, with the home side in the lead for the first time in the game.
A series of professional fouls led to the hosts’ number 8, Devon Barnard receiving the game’s first yellow card. The lack of numbers for Rhodes gave way to WSU’s left wing, Ntando Mfengu’s penetrating runs at the opposition, which paved the way for an amazing dart near the touch line which led to yet another try for the visitors. Mihlali Mosi scored the try for WSU with Lituka converting yet again to make it 10-16 to the visitors at half time.
A scrum in WSU’s 22 led to an early try for Rhodes in the second half, scored by Keegan Deponselle in the corner. This left another difficult kick for Horne, which again went wide, leaving the score at 16-15 with the home side still trailing.
After some serious pressure on the away side, WSU’s centre, Ludwe Jack was given a yellow for ill-discipline at ruck time; however, the home side failed to capitalise as the visitors retaliated with a long-ranged try in the corner by left wing Ntando Mfengu - not converted by Lituka.
With the game reaching the 60th-minute mark, the home side seemed a bit lacklustre as the away team scored another try – this time by Siphosihle Magawu.
This was a major concern for Rhodes coach Qondakele Sompondo, who stated, “This has been the story of our season as we are able to play for 60 minutes and we just run out of wheels and we allow silly mistakes and easy tries to get the better of us.”
Athenkosi Khethani, who scored the game’s opening try, completed his brace after a period of sustained dominance by WSU.
Lituka made no mistake this time, extending the margin by 22 points with the score standing at 37-15.
Left wing Mfengu also completed his brace with the last try of the game which was converted by Lituka in stoppage time with the final score reading 45-15, and Walter Sisulu University the victors on the night.
Despite the Rhodes team’s ability to take the lead in the match, they were often let down by missed conversions.
Qondakele said, “We were let down by missed conversions despite scoring three tries as opposed to two in the opening minutes.
It still seems like we don’t have enough drive to win as a group. That comes with the experience of playing at this level.”
Recording their fifth loss, Rhodes have unfortunately been condemned to the wooden spoon, while WSU are in a good position to finish in the top half come the end of the season.
Some positives have been noted by the Rhodes coach, who said, “As a coach, I am happy that the players who took us to this competition have been rewarded.
But we’re comfortable with saying that these players will improve, all in good time.”
Rhodes next travel to KwaZulu-Natal to take on the University of KwaZulu-Natal, while WSU conclude their campaign at home to the University of the Western Cape.