On Monday Night, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University suffered a painful loss to Stellenbosch University in the Varsity Cup Semi-Final clash by 16-15 at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch.
This was NMMU’s first ever Semi-Final game in the Varsity Cup, their first Semi-Final appearance produced a pulsating game against a Maties that was keen to reach the Final again and have a repeat clash with the University of Pretoria in Next Week’s Final at the Danie Craven Stadium. Maties, the three time champions of the Varsity Cup were considered as favourites for this vital clash.
The NMMU Madibaz as they are fondly known by their fans gave a good go at the Maties in the first thirty minutes of the game but the home team defended resolutely and keep themselves in the game. After surviving the siege committed by NMMU, the home team started to find their voice and authority in the match when they started to attack the Madibaz half near the end of the first half.
The Maties excessive attack at NMMU’s try line, their attack was finally rewarded when they were awarded a Penalty Try by the Referee, the penalty try led to two Madibaz’ players going to the sin bin for their lack of discipline when they were defending the try line. The Maties converted the penalty try to give themselves an 8-0 lead leading into the Second Half. The Maties will have felt that they escaped greatly in the first half due to the lack of chances they created in the half.
NMMU came back very strongly in the Second Half and their efforts were rightfully rewarded when they crashed in the corner to score a try and close the gap between them and the Maties. The try was not converted which made Stellenbosch University to have an 8-5 lead near the hour mark. Later in the Second Half, the Maties capitalized on the Madibaz error from the Ruck to score an opportunistic try in the corner to extend their lead again and put pressure on the Madibaz to fightback.
With ten minutes remaining in the game, the Madibaz lead a massive fightback to score two tries and create a grand finale at the Danie Craven Stadium. The Maties defended with courage to preserve their one point lead, NMMU had the chance to snatch a dramatic win at the death with a penalty kick. The kicker from NMMU missed the penalty kick and grant the Maties their fifth final in Varsity Cup History and emphasise a sense of disappointment to the Madibaz fans who travelled from Port Elizabeth to support their beloved team.
The Madibaz were left to rue their missed chances and ponder their missed chances, the team may feel very proud with their Varsity Cup efforts this year and build for next year. Earlier in the evening, University of Pretoria beat University of Johannesburg convincingly by 61-24 to book a place in the Varsity Cup Final against the Maties next week Monday on a clash that is billed as a curtain raiser for one of the best Varsity Cup Seasons in history. UP will potentially believe that an upset is not far from their reach.
By Mvuyisi Tyiwani
The PE Nouvelles 