The Walter Sisulu University All Blacks sent out a loud signal of intent on Thursday night when they started their maiden FNB Varsity Shield campaign with a bang.
Even the rosiest predictions would not have expected a 33-12 hammering of the Fort Hare Blues in their own back yard.
The skill and swagger with which the win was achieved will already have the players believing of possible Varsity Shield glory.
The All Blacks produced a sparkling attacking performance that saw them outscore the Blues four tries to one and if this match is anindication of what is to come, WSU can feel quietly confident heading into the rest of the campaign.
“It was a hard game, a close game but we knew if we stuck in their it was going to come,” said WSU captain Mihlali Qoma after the match.
A number of All Blacks players stood out on the night, with some monster performances on show.
Lock Athenkosi Khetani was immense and claimed a well deserved Player that Rocks award and his continued top form will be integral in their Shield campaign.
Other players to impress were captain Qoma, along with fellow loose forwards Lubabalo Lento, who scored a try, and eighthman Chumani Mjacu who put in huge hits.
In the backline inside centre Luzuko Mafu was electric, wings Ntando Mfengu and Khanyiso Roloma looked dangerous and fullback Zizipho Kayi had an almost faultless night with the boot, slotting a number of tricky penalties and conversions.
In all they are looking like the real deal and if they can minimise mistakes they could be in for a very good maiden season in the competition.
Next up for the WSU All Blacks will be a difficult home match against the University of KwaZulu-Natal Impi at the BCM Stadium in East London on Monday night.
“We just have a few days but if we prepare well and we rest well we can also win on Monday,” said Qoma.
For Fort Hare it has to be back to the drawing board.
In the first half of the game they matched WSU and looked good on attack, while their set pieces, particularly their scrum and rolling maul, were solid.
However, a host of handling errors, usually in good positions on attack and ill-discipline that allowed the opposition to clear their lines was rife and proved to be a deciding factor in the match.
The Blues certainly showed enough to suggest they can be a threat in the competition. However, they will need to get over this loss fast and eliminate their errors if they are to reach their potential.
They face a tough task in turning it around against the University of the Western Cape in their next clash on Monday. However, with it being at home they will hope their crowd can inspire them to victory.
The other Eastern Cape team in action, Rhodes University, impressed despite going down 16-12 against the Tshwane University of Technology Vikings in Pretoria.
TUT was always going to be a daunting first game and with it being their first ever appearance in the competition, nerves were expected.
However, they were not overawed by the occasion and gave TUT a fright with a disciplined performance. They should be happy with the losing bonus point gained.
They will look to take that confidence into their first home match against the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on the Rhodes Great Field on Monday evening.
All Blacks stun Blues to lay firm foundation for Varsity campaign
Even the rosiest predictions would not have expected a 33-12 hammering of the Fort Hare Blues in their own back yard.
The skill and swagger with which the win was achieved will already have the players believing of possible Varsity Shield glory.
The All Blacks produced a sparkling attacking performance that saw them outscore the Blues four tries to one and if this match is anindication of what is to come, WSU can feel quietly confident heading into the rest of the campaign.
“It was a hard game, a close game but we knew if we stuck in their it was going to come,” said WSU captain Mihlali Qoma after the match.
A number of All Blacks players stood out on the night, with some monster performances on show.
Lock Athenkosi Khetani was immense and claimed a well deserved Player that Rocks award and his continued top form will be integral in their Shield campaign.
Other players to impress were captain Qoma, along with fellow loose forwards Lubabalo Lento, who scored a try, and eighthman Chumani Mjacu who put in huge hits.
In the backline inside centre Luzuko Mafu was electric, wings Ntando Mfengu and Khanyiso Roloma looked dangerous and fullback Zizipho Kayi had an almost faultless night with the boot, slotting a number of tricky penalties and conversions.
In all they are looking like the real deal and if they can minimise mistakes they could be in for a very good maiden season in the competition.
Next up for the WSU All Blacks will be a difficult home match against the University of KwaZulu-Natal Impi at the BCM Stadium in East London on Monday night.
“We just have a few days but if we prepare well and we rest well we can also win on Monday,” said Qoma.
For Fort Hare it has to be back to the drawing board.
In the first half of the game they matched WSU and looked good on attack, while their set pieces, particularly their scrum and rolling maul, were solid.
However, a host of handling errors, usually in good positions on attack and ill-discipline that allowed the opposition to clear their lines was rife and proved to be a deciding factor in the match.
The Blues certainly showed enough to suggest they can be a threat in the competition. However, they will need to get over this loss fast and eliminate their errors if they are to reach their potential.
They face a tough task in turning it around against the University of the Western Cape in their next clash on Monday. However, with it being at home they will hope their crowd can inspire them to victory.
The other Eastern Cape team in action, Rhodes University, impressed despite going down 16-12 against the Tshwane University of Technology Vikings in Pretoria.
TUT was always going to be a daunting first game and with it being their first ever appearance in the competition, nerves were expected.
However, they were not overawed by the occasion and gave TUT a fright with a disciplined performance. They should be happy with the losing bonus point gained.
They will look to take that confidence into their first home match against the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on the Rhodes Great Field on Monday evening.
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