Wits do the double over UKZN

FNB Wits are almost assured of a home final in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield after the team beat FNB UKZN-Impi 40-26 at the Wits Rugby Stadium in Johannesburg.

Wits have yet to taste defeat in tournament, while the Impi have now lost their second game of the season, with their previous defeat also at the hands of Wits in round three.

Wits got off to a flying start when prop Ameer Williams opened the scoring shortly after the game started. The lead did not last as Wits’ defence, after being so good in the first 15 minutes, allowed UKZN captain Lwazi Ngcungama to get one back after a quick tap penalty and level matters before the strategy break to make it 8-8.

The home team regained the lead when centre Marx Koch scored a well-worked try before big No.8 Ayabulela Mdudi extended the lead to 16 points with his converted try before the half-time break to give Wits a 24-8 lead.

UKZN reduced the lead to just eight after the break when fly-half Rowan Gouws scored the Kwa-Zulu Natal team’s second try. With the Impi back in the game, the home side rallied and found new vigour when prop Luvuyo Pupuma got the fourth and bonus-point try to give Wits the 16-point buffer again heading into the final 20 minutes.

The away team was not going to give and inside centre Marius Louw reduced the deficit to just 11, however Dube could not add the conversion that would have brought them to within a converted try.

Wits were left hanging on at the death after flyhalf Brandan Hewitt got his team’s fourth, however a late try by Wits fullback Tommy Damba put the game to bed and denied UKZN another bonus-point.

UKZN will have to win their last game against FNB Fort Hare with bonus-point to be assured of a place in the final against Wits.