The University of Fort Hare reached the finals of the Varsity Shield Cup in style when they hammered the University of KwaZulu-Natal last night.
The Blues took their slogan, Luma ke Blues (bite Blues), to heart when they mauled the visiting Impi 45-8 at the university’s Alice campus.
The home side scored six tries in the first half alone, with the first try coming just four minutes in the game courtesy of centre Xolela Daniels. That try opened the flood gates for UFH as Athenkosi Makeleni followed with his own seven minutes in to the game.
Head coach Carlos Khatywa said his very physical team had stuck to the basics of the game.
“We’ve got the right tactics and the right people in the right position,” he said, adding that they had built a brotherhood.
Khatywa said: “As you saw, we worked as one. The players were playing among each other.”
UFH went to score another four tries in the first half with scrumhalf Qhama Masiza scoring one in the 17th minute.
After five minutes the Blues scored another try after a move that was finished by left flanker Thulani Njenje. The flood did not stop there as centre Somila Jho added his name on the score sheet in the 21st minute.
Flyhalf Jeandre Christian’s boot was almost flawless as he converted five of the seven tries.
Khatywa said they were looking forward to the final and hoping to face Walter Sisulu University’s All Blacks, who had an impressive debut season.
With the first half having ended 37-0, Fort Hare’s fans were smelling blood but the latter stanza saw a much improved UKZN side with the Blues only adding one try. The Impi replied with their own try from centre Mosiea Paki with but the first-half damage was a bridge too far.
UKZN Donald Ngwenya coach said his charges had been intimidated by the boisterous home crowd and sense of occasion. “The occasion got the better of us. We have a very young side – these boys are mostly 19, 20, 21 so they still need to grow mentally.
“That first half we were shell shocked. As you saw in the second half we realised that we could compete.”
UFH will now face the in-form University of Western Cape who defeated WSU 50-26 last night.
Blues maul shell-shocked Impis en route to finals
The Blues took their slogan, Luma ke Blues (bite Blues), to heart when they mauled the visiting Impi 45-8 at the university’s Alice campus.
The home side scored six tries in the first half alone, with the first try coming just four minutes in the game courtesy of centre Xolela Daniels. That try opened the flood gates for UFH as Athenkosi Makeleni followed with his own seven minutes in to the game.
Head coach Carlos Khatywa said his very physical team had stuck to the basics of the game.
“We’ve got the right tactics and the right people in the right position,” he said, adding that they had built a brotherhood.
Khatywa said: “As you saw, we worked as one. The players were playing among each other.”
UFH went to score another four tries in the first half with scrumhalf Qhama Masiza scoring one in the 17th minute.
After five minutes the Blues scored another try after a move that was finished by left flanker Thulani Njenje. The flood did not stop there as centre Somila Jho added his name on the score sheet in the 21st minute.
Flyhalf Jeandre Christian’s boot was almost flawless as he converted five of the seven tries.
Khatywa said they were looking forward to the final and hoping to face Walter Sisulu University’s All Blacks, who had an impressive debut season.
With the first half having ended 37-0, Fort Hare’s fans were smelling blood but the latter stanza saw a much improved UKZN side with the Blues only adding one try. The Impi replied with their own try from centre Mosiea Paki with but the first-half damage was a bridge too far.
UKZN Donald Ngwenya coach said his charges had been intimidated by the boisterous home crowd and sense of occasion. “The occasion got the better of us. We have a very young side – these boys are mostly 19, 20, 21 so they still need to grow mentally.
“That first half we were shell shocked. As you saw in the second half we realised that we could compete.”
UFH will now face the in-form University of Western Cape who defeated WSU 50-26 last night.
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