By ROSS ROCHE
A well-balanced performance saw the University of Fort Hare bounce back from their opening-match defeat to claim a solid 22-3 win against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) yesterday at Buffalo Park in their second match of the University Sport South Africa Rugby Week.
Fort Hare showed no ill-effects from their disappointing defeat as they dominated from the outset against UKZN, which allowed them to score two tries in each half.
“It’s finally coming together; it was good to get a win after a loss, and the young guys are getting some good exposure in the competition,” said Fort Hare stand-in coach Kgobo Kgobo.
Their superb defence was a major factor in the win as they constantly caught UKZN behind the gainline, and forced them to play off the backfoot throughout the match.
Fort Hare will now end their rugby week tomorrow with another Varsity Shield match-up against Tshwane University of Technology, who only managed to sneak a tight 10-6 win over the Walter Sisulu University B team.
UKZN got off to a good start, putting Fort Hare under pressure, which they dealt with well.
Fort Hare then went on to the attack and a good run down the right-hand touchline saw them force play into UKZN’s 22m area.
Fort Hare then received a kickable penalty on the 22m line but opted to tap and go and knocked the ball on a metre from the tryline.
After the first two scrums were dominated by UKZN, Fort Hare got a great hit in and forced a tighthead, with the ball then spread quickly to right wing Lukho Jongizulu. He went over, with flyhalf Sanaliso Ngoma missing the conversion.
UKZN then enjoyed a strong spell in Fort Hare’s 22m area, but they weathered the storm and went further ahead in the 30th minute.
From a scrum near the halfway line the ball was swung left and a good break through the UKZN defence saw Fort Hare storm into their 22m area, with fullback Sibongile Novuka receiving an offload, stepping inside the last defender, and going over to the right of the posts.
Ngoma’s successful conversion meant Fort Hare went into the break 12-0 up.
Fort Hare began the second half on the front foot and after six minutes scored their third try.
After UKZN were penalised at the breakdown in front of the poles in their 22m area, Fort Hare chose to take a quick tap, with the ball moving left and flank Zanoxolo Qwele crashing over for an unconverted score.
UKZN then finally got themselves on the board in the 62nd minute as Sandile Zulu slotted an easy penalty from in front 22m out.
Fort Hare had the final say as their superb defence forced a turnover near the halfway line, with eighthman Onke Dubase making a break through UKZN’s defence and offloading after being hauled down just short of the line, allowing lock Chuma Bhiyane to dive over for an unconverted try.
Fort Hare tough it out to emerge with beaming smiles
A well-balanced performance saw the University of Fort Hare bounce back from their opening-match defeat to claim a solid 22-3 win against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) yesterday at Buffalo Park in their second match of the University Sport South Africa Rugby Week.
Fort Hare showed no ill-effects from their disappointing defeat as they dominated from the outset against UKZN, which allowed them to score two tries in each half.
“It’s finally coming together; it was good to get a win after a loss, and the young guys are getting some good exposure in the competition,” said Fort Hare stand-in coach Kgobo Kgobo.
Their superb defence was a major factor in the win as they constantly caught UKZN behind the gainline, and forced them to play off the backfoot throughout the match.
Fort Hare will now end their rugby week tomorrow with another Varsity Shield match-up against Tshwane University of Technology, who only managed to sneak a tight 10-6 win over the Walter Sisulu University B team.
UKZN got off to a good start, putting Fort Hare under pressure, which they dealt with well.
Fort Hare then went on to the attack and a good run down the right-hand touchline saw them force play into UKZN’s 22m area.
Fort Hare then received a kickable penalty on the 22m line but opted to tap and go and knocked the ball on a metre from the tryline.
After the first two scrums were dominated by UKZN, Fort Hare got a great hit in and forced a tighthead, with the ball then spread quickly to right wing Lukho Jongizulu. He went over, with flyhalf Sanaliso Ngoma missing the conversion.
UKZN then enjoyed a strong spell in Fort Hare’s 22m area, but they weathered the storm and went further ahead in the 30th minute.
From a scrum near the halfway line the ball was swung left and a good break through the UKZN defence saw Fort Hare storm into their 22m area, with fullback Sibongile Novuka receiving an offload, stepping inside the last defender, and going over to the right of the posts.
Ngoma’s successful conversion meant Fort Hare went into the break 12-0 up.
Fort Hare began the second half on the front foot and after six minutes scored their third try.
After UKZN were penalised at the breakdown in front of the poles in their 22m area, Fort Hare chose to take a quick tap, with the ball moving left and flank Zanoxolo Qwele crashing over for an unconverted score.
UKZN then finally got themselves on the board in the 62nd minute as Sandile Zulu slotted an easy penalty from in front 22m out.
Fort Hare had the final say as their superb defence forced a turnover near the halfway line, with eighthman Onke Dubase making a break through UKZN’s defence and offloading after being hauled down just short of the line, allowing lock Chuma Bhiyane to dive over for an unconverted try.
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