Rugby
The Fort Hare Blues stun the Ixias in Bloemfontein─── 09:19 Tue, 25 Feb 2014
Morgan Piek
Bloemfontein - The University of Fort Hare Blues stunned the Central University of Technology Ixias in Bloemfontein last night to hand the defending Varsity Shield champions their first ever loss since 2012 after going undefeated last year.
Both sides scored a bonus-point fourth try and slotted three conversions however, it was the visitors flyhalf Oliver Zono who proved to be the difference between the two teams by slotting an additional penalty.
Ixias coach, Skillie Bester told Ofm Sport that in the bigger picture of things, last night’s loss could be exactly what the doctor ordered for his team.
The Ixias still top the log with a four point cushion.
The side from Bloemfontein next face former Springbok coach Peter de Villiers’s UWC in Bellville next week.
The scorers:
CUT Ixias: Tries - Ramashala 2, van der Merwe, Grobler. Conv.- Pretoruis 3.
UFH Blues: Tries - Dutton, Ludidi, Zono 2. Conv.- Zono 3 Pen. - Zono.
CUT Ixias - 15 Kholo Ramashala (captain), 14 Alec Mhlango, 13 Charles Hitchcock, 12 Duan Pretorius, 11 Mosego Toolo, 10 Noel Marx, 9 Stephan Griesel, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Frans Sisita, 6 Mokoea Bolofo, 5 Vincent Maruping, 4 Fanie Coetzee, 3 Danie Van der Merwe, 2 Daniel de Jager, 1 Len Noort.
Replacements - 16 Deon Gouws, 17 Gerhard Baard, 18 Ian van Wyk, 19 Johan Grundlingh, 20 Marius Grobler, 21 Heinrich Bitzi, 22 Theuns Truter, 23 Hanro Liebenberg.
UFH - 15 Khanyiso Komani, 14 Garth van Rayner, 13 Lundi Ralarala, 12 Saneliso Ngoma, 11 Lithabile Mgwadleka, 10 Oliver Zono, 9 Bangihlombe Kobese, 8 Manentsa Athi, 7 Billy Dutton (captain), 6 Dubase Onke, 5 Masixole David, 4 Mzwandile Yalezo, 3 Xola Mapapu, 2 Thembelihle Mpapha, 1 Lwando Mabenge.
Replacements - 16 Madoda Ludidi, 17 Siyabulela Sijula, 18 Olwethu Mputla,19 Ntyatyambo Mkhafu, 20 Andile Makinana, 21 Sibabalwe Mtsulwana, 22 Mkhululi Sonqishe, 23 Sibabalwe Tshoni.
