Mazibuko magic helps Toti scalp Crusaders
Some would have been forgiven for thinking this would be a repeat of the past where Crusaders dominated Toti.
AMANZIMTOTI Rugby Club’s match reports:
1st XV:
Toti first team claimed another big scalp when they beat Nashua Crusaders on their home turf in Durban North on Friday evening.
Crusaders would have started the match as favourites, particularly after their fine showing against unbeaten log leaders, SA Home Loans Durban Collegians the previous week where they went down to a last gasp penalty after leading for 79 minutes.
Being underdogs, however, is a tag that seems to bring out the best in this Toti team and on this occasion it was no different as they gave as good as they got against a fired-up Crusaders outfit.
Toti were first to score when tight head prop Thinus Volker barged over from close quarters after a well planned and executed move. The successful conversion from Jaco de Jager put the visitors 7-0 up, but, for the next 20 minutes, it was all about defence as Crusaders laid on wave after wave of attack on the Toti line in search of a score of their own. Massive hits in defence, particularly from young Brad Lange kept the marauders, with Murphy Leilua, the Maori battering ram in the vanguard, at bay. Try as they might, Crusaders could not breach the stone wall of Toti’s defence, leaving the game at 7-0 going into the break.
The second half started off in much the same way as the first had left off, with the Toti defence being called on to stand firm.
Then came the moment that turned the game on its head. In what has been described as one of the best tries in the competition so far, a kick downfield by Crusaders was fielded by Toti fullback Lihle Mazibuko, who then ran a full 60 metres, evading a number of would-be defenders with some deft footwork, to score in the corner.
The conversion attempt from De Jager went wide but Toti were now 12-0 up with less than half of the game remaining, and all the pressure was now on Crusaders, who did manage to get a try of their own in somewhat controversial circumstances. Their conversion attempt fell short of the crossbar, leaving them 12-5 behind with 10 minutes left to play. Again the home team applied a massive amount of pressure on the visitors in their attempt to salvage a draw, but, it was not to be, as Toti once again stood firm against the onslaught to emerge deserved victors.
Men of the match awards went to Brad Lange and Lihle ‘Black Magic’ Mazibuko.
2nd XV:
The 2nd side knew it would be a hard game at Crusaders that would require a team effort to turn things around, if one considered the loss in the first round suffered at the hands of Crusaders.
With the loss of Janco Prinsloo at scrum half and Wimpie Pretorius at fly half due to injury, the team turned to winger RD Janse Van Vuuren to slot in at fly half and youngster JP Du Toit at scrum half. A big ask that they ended up doing fantastically well.
The first half saw Toti dominate, but unable to turn the possession into points and small mistakes let Crusaders into the game. The half time score saw Crusaders lead 21-7.
Some would have been forgiven for thinking this would be a repeat of the past where Crusaders dominated Toti. But those days seem to be long gone as the second half proved Toti are a team with new spirit who play for each other. Toti stuck to their game plan and defence lines to come back fighting to end the game with Crusaders winning the match 28-21. Players who stood out on the day were 8th man JL Kotze, front row D Kelly, lock W Kotze, hooker C Theron and at the back Deon Pool fullback and wing Byron Barber. The two centres, J Blignaut and J Jonkerman stood their ground in defence and so the rest of the team. But most of all it was the way the team came together to give a total team effort. It was a fantastic fightback by the whole team and showed that Toti 2nds are slowly but surely building into a team not to be taken lightly. The next two weeks will see a much-needed rest and the team taking the time to build on the positives and iron out those small mistakes.
Try scorers on the day were Deon Pool, D Kelly and J Dippenaar, all converted by J Hines
3rd XV:
On Saturday the Toti 3rds travelled down to Scottburgh to take on Scottburgh 1st XV. In what is fast becoming a huge grudge match, Toti were under pressure throughout the first half, playing for 20 minutes with only 13 men and battling a penalty count that was beyond belief.
As is the norm, the thirds calmed matters down in the second half, played structured rugby and remain unbeaten for the season, winning 24-11.
Toti’s next games are on Friday, 19 June against Varsity College at Hutchison Park. The scheduled kick-off times are 6.30pm for the seconds and 8pm for the first team. The third team will take on joint log leaders Varsity College on Saturday, 20 June at Hutchison Park. The scheduled kick-off is 3pm. The club calls on all supporters to support its teams.
