Cape Peninsula University of Technology

The defending champions dealt a huge blow to the FNB TUT Vikings’s unbeaten run in the 2021 Varsity Shield rugby tournament this week.

FNB CPUT continued its dominance of the tournament as they beat the Vikings 54 – 20 to seal their position at the top of the tournament’s log. The clash between the two unbeaten sides saw FNB CPUT dominating proceedings throughout the match. The boys from the peninsula attacked the gain line at will and in the process stifled the majority of the opponents’ attempts on attack. 

In the first half hooker Siyasanga “Carburettor” Ngubelanga bagged a brace of tries and eightman Sesona Macala, flank Ché Klaasen and wings  Asisipho Malotana  and Nathan Nkutu also crossed the line to record a bonus point for FNB CPUT before half-time. At half-time the score was 37 -6 in favour of the defending champions.

In the second half FNB TUT came stronger as FNB CPUT took a while to get back into the swing of things but it was not long before Sesona and Anenceba Salman scored more tries which were successfully converted by Feghon-Leigh Snyders and replacement utility back Imibongo Vabaza. 

Sesona was voted the FNB Player that Rocks at the end of the match.

Ten tries against Rhodes University scored FNB CPUT a win during their second match of the Varsity Shield tournament.  

Not even Gauteng lightening could stop the defending the Varsity Shield’s champions from defeating FNB Rhodes University at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium as they won 68 against eight.  

The boys were rampant in their set play as the Rhodents just could not match their physicality or rush defence and they often found themselves losing the ball recklessly.

FNB CPUT was leading with 21 points against eight at half-time after scoring three

 tries, thanks to a brace by centre Bjorkan Hendricks and lock Joshua Paris. Flyhalf Imibongo Mgijima converted all the tries.

Overall CPUT tries were scored by Björkan Hendricks (2), Joshua Paris, Onika Mgijima, Hughwan Engelbrecht, Phumlani Mkhaliphi, Asisipho Malotana (2) and Imibongo Vabaza, Butsha Mputa.

Imibongo successfully converted nine tries and deservedly was voted the FNB Player that Rocks.

The CPUT men’s rugby team thumped the University of Fort Hare in the opening round of this year’s FNB Varsity Shield at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

FNB CPUT’s 36 – 20 victory was hard-fought as the team survived a red card in the first half when centre Jurick Lewis was fingered for dangerous play, followed by two yellow cards in the second half.

The 2019 Shield champions made a perfect start to the match when they charged down an FNB UFH clearance kick and the ball landed on eighthman Sesona Macala who scored just after 20 seconds into the match.

The opposition later hit back with a try of their own.

FNB CPUT grabbed their second try through centre Lunathi Nxele, who ripped through the FNB UFH’s defence at supersonic speed following a successful scrum in the opposition’s half. After scoring, the former captain, who led CPUT to its last Shield championship, ran to the empty stands to take a seat and applauded the try.   

Once again, flyhalf Feghon-Leigh Snyders converted the try.

Following a 40m penalty slotted by the opposition, FNB CPUT winger Nathan Nkutu put captain Butsha Mputa away for a try under the posts, which was successfully converted by Feghon-Leigh before adding a penalty to make it 24-10 at half-time.

In the second half, the former captain scored another try while Nathan scored FNB CPUT’s last try to seal the game 36 - 20 after fulltime. Nathan was voted the FNB Player That Rocks.  

The CPUT men’s rugby team received their kit for the 2021 Varsity Shield tournament at a handover ceremony on Friday.

Prior to handing over the kit to the boys, Vice-Chancellor, Prof Chris Nhlapo, said the team represents CPUT exceptionalism. Nhlapo added that if the team kept up the standard that made them win the Shield in 2019 they would go to this year’s in Pretoria to show their opponents flames.

“I want to see you playing in the Varsity Cup next year, you possess some of the best skills, you are the best of the best.”

He assured the team that the university’s management fully supports the team and that he wants them to bring the trophy home.

Jerome Paarwater, Western Province Rugby Union’s High-Performance Manager, thanked the team for inviting him to their training sessions. Paarwater said his initial involvement with CPUT was when Sport Development Officer, Bulelani Mlakalaka, invited him to help the university with its selection of coaches.

“I was involved with UWC (University of the Western Cape) and helped them to win the Varsity Shield and they moved to the Varsity Cup,” he said.

He added that now he works with young talent and that he was instrumental in grooming most of the Stormers players.

“There are lot of opportunities for you if you do well in this tournament,” Paarwater said.

He encouraged the boys to have respect and be accountable for their actions. Paarwater also warned the players that the tournament will be tough but that they should not disappoint CPUT and their parents.

The team’s captain, Butsha Mputa said he joined the team in 2016 and started as a benchwarmer but when he made the starting 15 in June of that year, he made the number six jersey his own.

Butsha added that he plays with pride and that he has won the University Sports South Africa tournament as well as the Varsity Shield with the team. “I want to make history again,” he enthused.

The team’s coach, Alastair Theys said there was panic when the team started the training ten weeks ago but after the technical team presented its plan to the players their confidence started rising.

“The boys are ready for the tournament,” Theys assured the university. He urged the boys to make decisions that will make CPUT proud and thanked the university for creating the platform for the boys. “Well done for the hard work you put in training,” he congratulated the boys.     

This year’s tournament will be played in a bio-bubble in Tshwane from 12 April to 9 May and FNB CPUT will face off with FNB UFH (University of Fort Hare) today at Loftus Versfeld Stadium at 19H00. The match will be broadcast live on DSTV Channel 211.

FNB CPUT started the journey to defend the rugby title they won last year on the back foot as the defending champions lost their opening match of the 2020 Varsity Shield.

FNB CPUT will go head-to-head with FNB WSU in the first clash of the 2020 Varsity Shield competition this Friday.