A massive 15m mauled try to Walter Sisulu University All Blacks prop, Phumlani Blaauw, in the dying minutes of their fiery Varsity Shield clash against the University of Fort Hare Blues was enough to seal a 20-16 win for the home team at the BCM Stadium last night.
The Blues had taken the lead for the first time in the match just four minutes earlier, only for the hosts to come storming back from the kick off, kicking a penalty to touch in the 22m, their forwards then mauling the ball over for the winning points in the 75th minute.
It was a superb second half from the visitors that had stunned the home crowd, as they scored twice to overturn a 15-0 half time deficit and take the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
First outside centre, Jonathan Booysen, crashed over next to the uprights in the 52nd minute, after a good spell of pressure from the Blues, before fullback, Sibongile Novuka, rounded off a wonderful attack in the right hand corner.
Flyhalf Hleli Lazola converted both, including the tough touchline conversion, to give them a 16-15 lead after 71 minutes.
It was, however, heartbreak then for the visitors, as the All Blacks claimed their third win in a row in the competition.
The first half kicked off at a leisurely pace, as both teams looked to feel each other out.
However, the visitors seemed to settle first, and their good early play saw the home side on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle.
This saw WSU captain Blaauw yellow carded for repeated infringements in the 11th minute.
The Blues looked to utilise their man advantage by choosing to scrum instead of going for posts after getting a couple of penalties in the home sides 22m, but some ferocious defence by the All Blacks kept the Blues out.
Finally, after a solid five minute spell of pressure in the home side’s 22m, the All Blacks won a penalty at the breakdown and were able to clear their lines.
WSU then enjoyed their best spell of the opening quarter. Still down to 14 men they made their way into the Blues’ 22m, and despite earning a penalty they chose to go for a line out instead of poles, and eventually lost the ball.
The first strategy break was taken on 20 minutes, and the hosts came out firing.
Some intense pressure in the Blues’ 22m then led to the first points of the match after 28 minutes.
A good attack from the All Blacks looked like they were going over, before Blues flank Lukhanyiso Tosholwana put in a shoulder charge that saw the ball lost forward over the line.
After some consultation with the linesman the ref awarded a penalty try, which counts as seven points, not eight, and a yellow card to Tosholwana.
The extra man galvanised the All Blacks and they dominated the next five minutes, leading to a superb long range try, starting in their own half.
After stealing the Blues’ ball it was spread quickly down the line to eighthman Mihlali Mosi, who broke into the Blues’ half, before drawing in three defenders and laying off a superb offload to right wing Damon Sinuka on the switch, who sprinted away under the poles.
Flyhalf Beauton Pohlman added the extras as the hosts took a 15-0 lead into the half time break.
Blues lose out as All Blacks snatch late win in crunch clash
The Blues had taken the lead for the first time in the match just four minutes earlier, only for the hosts to come storming back from the kick off, kicking a penalty to touch in the 22m, their forwards then mauling the ball over for the winning points in the 75th minute.
It was a superb second half from the visitors that had stunned the home crowd, as they scored twice to overturn a 15-0 half time deficit and take the lead with less than 10 minutes remaining.
First outside centre, Jonathan Booysen, crashed over next to the uprights in the 52nd minute, after a good spell of pressure from the Blues, before fullback, Sibongile Novuka, rounded off a wonderful attack in the right hand corner.
Flyhalf Hleli Lazola converted both, including the tough touchline conversion, to give them a 16-15 lead after 71 minutes.
It was, however, heartbreak then for the visitors, as the All Blacks claimed their third win in a row in the competition.
The first half kicked off at a leisurely pace, as both teams looked to feel each other out.
However, the visitors seemed to settle first, and their good early play saw the home side on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle.
This saw WSU captain Blaauw yellow carded for repeated infringements in the 11th minute.
The Blues looked to utilise their man advantage by choosing to scrum instead of going for posts after getting a couple of penalties in the home sides 22m, but some ferocious defence by the All Blacks kept the Blues out.
Finally, after a solid five minute spell of pressure in the home side’s 22m, the All Blacks won a penalty at the breakdown and were able to clear their lines.
WSU then enjoyed their best spell of the opening quarter. Still down to 14 men they made their way into the Blues’ 22m, and despite earning a penalty they chose to go for a line out instead of poles, and eventually lost the ball.
The first strategy break was taken on 20 minutes, and the hosts came out firing.
Some intense pressure in the Blues’ 22m then led to the first points of the match after 28 minutes.
A good attack from the All Blacks looked like they were going over, before Blues flank Lukhanyiso Tosholwana put in a shoulder charge that saw the ball lost forward over the line.
After some consultation with the linesman the ref awarded a penalty try, which counts as seven points, not eight, and a yellow card to Tosholwana.
The extra man galvanised the All Blacks and they dominated the next five minutes, leading to a superb long range try, starting in their own half.
After stealing the Blues’ ball it was spread quickly down the line to eighthman Mihlali Mosi, who broke into the Blues’ half, before drawing in three defenders and laying off a superb offload to right wing Damon Sinuka on the switch, who sprinted away under the poles.
Flyhalf Beauton Pohlman added the extras as the hosts took a 15-0 lead into the half time break.
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