It was heartbreak for the Walter Sisulu University All Blacks as, despite a massive effort, they went down 37-31 to the Central University of Technology Ixias in the Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch yesterday afternoon.
In a match that swung every way possible it took a 79th minute try from Ixias scrumhalf Ruben de Haas, converted by flyhalf Denver Kleu to get them back into the lead, which they then held onto over the final few seconds of the match.
The All Blacks can however be very proud of their performance despite the loss, as they pushed the Varsity Cup outfit the entire way and almost forced their way into the country's premier varsity rugby tournament in just their second year of varsity rugby.
In the match it was poor kicking from the Ixias and some scintillating long-range tries from the All Blacks that made it such a tight affair.
They scored seven tries, but missed six conversion attempts with Kleu and fullback Dimitrio Tieties missing three each.
The All Blacks by contrast scored only three tries, but two of them were from their own half, which in the Varsity Cup count as seven-point tries with two points added for the conversion and with fullback Lusanda Xakwana slotting all his kicks at goal including two penalties, it kept them in the game.
The first half started with the All Blacks getting off to a dream start after a mistake from the Ixias at their own lineout just outside their 22m gave the All Blacks possession, allowing them to take play deep into the 22m.
The ball then found its way to flyhalf Beauton Pohlmann, who then popped the ball inside to flank Mihlani Mosi charging in at pace, to crash over under the poles.
Fullback Xakwana added the extras for a 7-0 lead after just three minutes.
The Ixias then took charge and dominated play in the All Blacks half for the next 10 minutes, and just as the All Blacks thought they had managed to survive the Ixias came straight back with left wing Rasmus Breedt going over towards the right- hand corner for their first unconverted score.
The Ixias continued to dominate possession and territory and shortly after the first strategy break a rolling maul from a 5m lineout saw the Ixias score through hooker Tiaan Erasmus to move ahead 10-7.
The All Blacks then hit back in the 26th minute with a superb try as left wing Athenkosi Dzenene fielded the ball in his own 22m and set off on an amazing run down the middle of the field, stepping past a number of defenders before being ankle tapped in the opposite 22m where her offloaded to Mosi to dive over under the poles for his second.
Xakwana’s extras put the All Blacks 16-10 ahead and despite Breedt going over for his second try, the All Blacks held a slender one-point lead at the halftime break.
An early penalty in the second half allowed Xakwana to extend the lead to four points, but the Ixias then looked to kick up a gear as their scrum began to fire and from a massive rolling maul that went all of 20m, tighthead prop Stefan van Schalkwyk scored to put them 20-19 ahead after 46 minutes.
All Blacks outside centre Sinegugu Lituka then had the chance to reply two minutes later but he lost the ball over the line while trying to dot down in the corner, which allowed the Ixias to score their fifth in the 59th minute, Kleu taking a quick tap penalty on the 5m and forcing his way over.
After the final strategy break the All Blacks took their powerplay (removed two players from the opposing teams backline for three minutes) and looked to have wasted it, only for them to score a fantastic try after the Ixias lost the balls on the All Blacks 10m, with the ball being passed to hooker Maliviwe Simanga to show a tremendous turn of pace to sprint 60m for their second seven-pointer, as Xakwana's extras put them 28-25 up.
A frantic final 10 minutes saw Ixias lock Sylvester Makakole score to put them back ahead, with Xakwana then slotting a penalty to put the All Blacks back in front by a point before the Ixias then had the final say.
All Blacks in brave fight to the death
In a match that swung every way possible it took a 79th minute try from Ixias scrumhalf Ruben de Haas, converted by flyhalf Denver Kleu to get them back into the lead, which they then held onto over the final few seconds of the match.
The All Blacks can however be very proud of their performance despite the loss, as they pushed the Varsity Cup outfit the entire way and almost forced their way into the country's premier varsity rugby tournament in just their second year of varsity rugby.
In the match it was poor kicking from the Ixias and some scintillating long-range tries from the All Blacks that made it such a tight affair.
They scored seven tries, but missed six conversion attempts with Kleu and fullback Dimitrio Tieties missing three each.
The All Blacks by contrast scored only three tries, but two of them were from their own half, which in the Varsity Cup count as seven-point tries with two points added for the conversion and with fullback Lusanda Xakwana slotting all his kicks at goal including two penalties, it kept them in the game.
The first half started with the All Blacks getting off to a dream start after a mistake from the Ixias at their own lineout just outside their 22m gave the All Blacks possession, allowing them to take play deep into the 22m.
The ball then found its way to flyhalf Beauton Pohlmann, who then popped the ball inside to flank Mihlani Mosi charging in at pace, to crash over under the poles.
Fullback Xakwana added the extras for a 7-0 lead after just three minutes.
The Ixias then took charge and dominated play in the All Blacks half for the next 10 minutes, and just as the All Blacks thought they had managed to survive the Ixias came straight back with left wing Rasmus Breedt going over towards the right- hand corner for their first unconverted score.
The Ixias continued to dominate possession and territory and shortly after the first strategy break a rolling maul from a 5m lineout saw the Ixias score through hooker Tiaan Erasmus to move ahead 10-7.
The All Blacks then hit back in the 26th minute with a superb try as left wing Athenkosi Dzenene fielded the ball in his own 22m and set off on an amazing run down the middle of the field, stepping past a number of defenders before being ankle tapped in the opposite 22m where her offloaded to Mosi to dive over under the poles for his second.
Xakwana’s extras put the All Blacks 16-10 ahead and despite Breedt going over for his second try, the All Blacks held a slender one-point lead at the halftime break.
An early penalty in the second half allowed Xakwana to extend the lead to four points, but the Ixias then looked to kick up a gear as their scrum began to fire and from a massive rolling maul that went all of 20m, tighthead prop Stefan van Schalkwyk scored to put them 20-19 ahead after 46 minutes.
All Blacks outside centre Sinegugu Lituka then had the chance to reply two minutes later but he lost the ball over the line while trying to dot down in the corner, which allowed the Ixias to score their fifth in the 59th minute, Kleu taking a quick tap penalty on the 5m and forcing his way over.
After the final strategy break the All Blacks took their powerplay (removed two players from the opposing teams backline for three minutes) and looked to have wasted it, only for them to score a fantastic try after the Ixias lost the balls on the All Blacks 10m, with the ball being passed to hooker Maliviwe Simanga to show a tremendous turn of pace to sprint 60m for their second seven-pointer, as Xakwana's extras put them 28-25 up.
A frantic final 10 minutes saw Ixias lock Sylvester Makakole score to put them back ahead, with Xakwana then slotting a penalty to put the All Blacks back in front by a point before the Ixias then had the final say.
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