By ROSS ROCHE
A superb attacking second-half performance saw Rhodes University power to a convincing 37-7 victory over the University of Zululand in their second match of the University Sport South Africa Rugby Week at Old Selbornians yesterday morning.
A very scrappy first half and a late Zululand score just before the break meant Rhodes trailed at the interval, but with the wind at their backs in the second half they scored six unanswered tries to cruise home in style.
“We are happy with the result; it is something we have been working on,” said Rhodes coach Qondakele Simpondo.
“In the first half our plan was to keep it tight which we did very well and then in the second half I told them to let loose which they did.
“We have a lot of youngsters from different age groups so to get these wins is great for their confidence.”
The win was Rhodes’s second of the week and means they are into the C Division final to be played tomorrow, where they meet Walter Sisulu University in what should be a cracking encounter between two rivals.
One facet that Rhodes will need to work on is their kicking for poles as they had another off-day with the boot, only slotting one conversion while missing six and two penalties, but an ugly crossfield wind did also play a part in that.
The match began with Rhodes starting well and getting right onto Zululand’s line, with Zululand then stealing the ball and clearing.
Zululand then had the first chance to get points on the board but missed a penalty, with Rhodes doing the same a few minutes later.
In the 21st minute Rhodes then opened the scoring after a Zululand mistake at a 22m dropout gave them a scrum on the 22m, from where they swung the ball to the right wing Simthembile Sizani going over in the corner for an unconverted score.
Rhodes dominated the rest of the half, but could not add to their points, with Zululand taking the lead.
A great break into Rhodes territory was rounded off by eighthman Blessing Nhlozi who went over under the posts and scrumhalf Andile Myeni adding the extras and halftime called.
A break early in the second half then saw Zululand almost score another try, but they were stopped short and Rhodes went straight up the other end to score through Jurgen Stroebel and never looked back.
Eighthman Devon Barnard led the charge with a top hattrick and he scored his first in the 52nd minute with centre and captain Marcus Nel slotting the only conversion to take a 17-7 lead.
Four minutes later reserve wing Thabiso Sithole scored in the right- hand corner to increase their lead.
Rhodes then finished the match strong as flank Jono Braans scored before Barnard claimed his second and third tries all in the final 15 minutes as Rhodes sealed a fully deserved win.
Rhodes strike with venom to blow Zululand out the park
A superb attacking second-half performance saw Rhodes University power to a convincing 37-7 victory over the University of Zululand in their second match of the University Sport South Africa Rugby Week at Old Selbornians yesterday morning.
A very scrappy first half and a late Zululand score just before the break meant Rhodes trailed at the interval, but with the wind at their backs in the second half they scored six unanswered tries to cruise home in style.
“We are happy with the result; it is something we have been working on,” said Rhodes coach Qondakele Simpondo.
“In the first half our plan was to keep it tight which we did very well and then in the second half I told them to let loose which they did.
“We have a lot of youngsters from different age groups so to get these wins is great for their confidence.”
The win was Rhodes’s second of the week and means they are into the C Division final to be played tomorrow, where they meet Walter Sisulu University in what should be a cracking encounter between two rivals.
One facet that Rhodes will need to work on is their kicking for poles as they had another off-day with the boot, only slotting one conversion while missing six and two penalties, but an ugly crossfield wind did also play a part in that.
The match began with Rhodes starting well and getting right onto Zululand’s line, with Zululand then stealing the ball and clearing.
Zululand then had the first chance to get points on the board but missed a penalty, with Rhodes doing the same a few minutes later.
In the 21st minute Rhodes then opened the scoring after a Zululand mistake at a 22m dropout gave them a scrum on the 22m, from where they swung the ball to the right wing Simthembile Sizani going over in the corner for an unconverted score.
Rhodes dominated the rest of the half, but could not add to their points, with Zululand taking the lead.
A great break into Rhodes territory was rounded off by eighthman Blessing Nhlozi who went over under the posts and scrumhalf Andile Myeni adding the extras and halftime called.
A break early in the second half then saw Zululand almost score another try, but they were stopped short and Rhodes went straight up the other end to score through Jurgen Stroebel and never looked back.
Eighthman Devon Barnard led the charge with a top hattrick and he scored his first in the 52nd minute with centre and captain Marcus Nel slotting the only conversion to take a 17-7 lead.
Four minutes later reserve wing Thabiso Sithole scored in the right- hand corner to increase their lead.
Rhodes then finished the match strong as flank Jono Braans scored before Barnard claimed his second and third tries all in the final 15 minutes as Rhodes sealed a fully deserved win.
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