Rugby
Eagles too strong for Madibaz─── 08:46 Tue, 06 Apr 2021
All eyes were on the Madibaz upon their return to the Varsity Cup and they gave a good account of themselves against the highly-rated NWU Eagles.
Madibaz struck first in the scorching Pretoria heat when they sent the ball wide to winger Khakalethu Bophi, who dotted down in the corner. NWU Eagles responded through promising centre Conan Le Fleur, who scored a try on his Varsity Cup debut, and flyhalf Marco Donges’ conversion edged them ahead 7-5 midway through the first half.
Eagles hooker Gustav du Rand scored the first of his two tries from a clever lineout move that saw the ball returned to him, and when winger Pienaar van Niekerk ran in another try, the Potchefstroom side led 19-8.
Madibaz flyhalf Christiaan Schutte’s second penalty, just before half-time, kept his team in the game, and they struck again straight after the break when flank Arnouw Nel barged his way over the line.
Du Rand then went over for his second try, before Madibaz captain Luyolo Dapula scored his team’s third.
But two tries in quick succession from Eagles debutants Ruben Dreyer and Meyer Kriel (the latter’s a seven-pointer) made the game safe for their side at 40-21.
Replacement Chadwin November scored a well-deserved bonus-point try for the Madibaz, with the Eagles grabbing their seventh on the stroke of full-time via Riaan Genis.
Player That Rocks: Gustav du Rand (NWU Eagles)
NWU Eagles – Tries: Conan Le Fleur, Gustav du Rand (2), Pienaar van Niekerk, Ruben Dreyer, Meyer Kriel (1x7), Riaan Genis. Conversions: Marco Donges, Le Fleur, Keagan Fortune (3).
NMU Madibaz – Tries: Khakalethu Bophi, Arnouw Nel, Luyolo Dapula, Kholiwe Khonza. Conversion: Chadwyn November. Penalties: Christiaan Schutte (2).