Varsity Cup celebrations for UJ and Wits
JOBURG – Wits and UJ separated by one point with three more matches to go.
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Wits University pulled off wins in the FNB Varsity Cup to steer clear of the relegation zone.
In the competition, the two lowest ranked sides on the combined 2021/22 log are relegated to the FNB Varsity Shield. Both UJ and Wits have been flirting in that region in the past few weeks but with both teams winning their round six fixtures, they earned some breathing room.
UJ took on Nelson Mandela University (Madibaz) in the Eastern Cape and beat them 24–9 thanks to tries from Darnell Osuagwu and Philip Apea-Adu. Wits were also victorious as they whipped the University of the Western Cape (UWC) 51–12 at home on March 21.
Wits started hot with two point-of-origin tries and conversions to lead the match 18–0 in the first 22 minutes. They extended their margin with another try thanks to Hlumelo Ndudula with Chris Humphries slotting the conversion to make it 25–0.
UWC scored their first three points thanks to a penalty but Humphries scored a try, conversion and penalty to end the half 35 – 3 to Wits. UWC got a point-of-origin try early in the second half but Wits continued to dominate the second stanza scoring another point-of-origin try, a try and two conversions to win the game 51–12.
The Orange Army drew first blood in the 8th minute with Osuagwu scoring the first try followed by a successful conversion by Jonathan Viljoen. Minutes later, the two combined for another try and conversion to lead the game 14–0 until half-time. In the 61st minute, UJ were awarded a penalty which was calmly slotted by Viljoen and three minutes later Apea-Adu scored UJ’s last try of the game.
A successful conversion gave UJ a 24–0 lead but a point-of-origin try by Madibaz finally got them on the scoreboard in the 69th minute followed by a conversion.
The game ended 24–9 in favour of the boys from Johannesburg.
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