Impi, Rovers turn on the style
WHILEVarsity College hosted a special afternoon of club rugby against SA Home Loans Durban Collegians last Saturday in Durban North, it was the Fidelity Security Premier Division game last Friday evening in the capital between hosts FNB UKZN Impi and their visitors from Durban, Jonsson College Rovers, that produced one of the finest club games seen in a long while.
Many spectators and supporters agreed it was a great advert for entertaining running rugby which, if it had been televised, would have proved just how entertaining a game rugby can be.
There can be no doubt the Impi brought out the best in Rovers, who eventually won 39-26 in a game that could have gone either way.
But it was the visitors’ bench that ultimately changed the face of the game, a great spectacle enjoyed by the 1 000-odd spectators, with the sides celebrating together after the game, bringing back memories of club games in the days of yore.
The celebrations made it all that much more special, but then historically these two clubs have had a good relationship over the years, with Rovers also being known as the Varsity Old Boys’ Club in days gone by.
In the build-up to the game it was exam week, so the students were a little disjointed, but this did not deter them in any way from playing an open and exciting brand of rugby.
They showed what a fabulous running side they are, and following on from their performance against Durban Collegians at the Fidelity Security Club Day at Amanzimtoti a week earlier, they produced some spectacular running rugby.
Former Maties centre Grant Rattray and their diminutive wing Thobekane “Tokoloshe” Buthelezi put on an outstanding performance.
Up 21-15 at the break, the students looked set for another victory and were still ahead 21-20 in the last quarter, with Rovers floundering without a kicker.
Then came the try by Junior Bok discard Ayron Schramm that changed the game, and with the bench in full throttle Rovers turned up the gas to take the honours.
With the kicking duties being handed over to Sandile Kubeka, Rovers finished with a flourish. Their other tries came from Mesuli Mncwawango and Samoan wing Paul Perez, who crossed for two each. Quinton Crocker, Christian de Bruyn and Kubeka kicked the balance.
At Riverside on Saturday, Durban Collegians kept their unbeaten record intact and stay four points ahead of Rovers on the log table after beating their hosts Varsity College 38-11 and coming away with a bonus point for good measure.
It was a great day of rugby for both players and supporters at the Varsity College Rugby Day, with students transported in from the other two campuses to celebrate and promote the game.
All three Principals, Yenuusha Ramluggan (Westville), Kevin McShane (Pietermaritzburg) and Margie Boosey (Durban North) were on hand to witness the true camaraderie of rugby.
Sadly, it ended up being a good day at the office for their visitors, Durban Collegians, who took the glory by winning all their games on the day.
Nashua Crusaders also won their game, taking the honours in the Under20 A Division after beating their hosts by the narrowest of margins, 23-20.
Collegians flyhalf Duncan Campbell was named backline player of the match in the Premier Division game, while Varsity College flanker Themba Ray Williams was named the forwards’ man of the match.
In other games, Crusaders thumped Maritzburg Collegians 52-0, and Amanzimtoti went on the rampage, winning their game over visitors Zululand Rhinos 60-14.
In the First Division South Section Fidelity Security Jaguars are now clear of the pack with another convincing win, this time beating UKZN Durban 35-5, while Richards Bay accounted for South Coast Warriors 43-21, Hillcrest beat Harlequins 27-9 and Westville Old Boys stayed on track with a 38-0 win over Ballito Dolphins.
In the North Section, Highlanders lead the way, beating Volksrust 84-19, while, Newcastle edged out Pongola 25-24.
Durban Collegians lead the way in the Frank Norris Under-20 A Division, but had a tough game of it in beating Rovers 13-0 at the weekend.
UKZN beat South Coast 45-18.
The Under-20 knockout competition kicks off this weekend, with Rovers up against UKZN and Crusaders up against South Coast Warriors on Friday evening.
Warriors