NMMU Madibaz went down 27-25 to the Maties in Port Elizabeth on Monday in the second round of the FNB Varsity Cup. The visitors scored a last minute converted try to take the game away from the PE side that clawed its way back into contention just minutes before the final whistle.
Just as they had done last week at home, FNB Maties’ forwards dominated the opening exchanges with strong ball-carrying, strong play at the breakdown and a powerful scrum. However, a strong headwind meant that their backline failed to make the most of their early opportunities and it was instead FNB NMMU who found themselves leading 6-0 at the first strategy break thanks to two well-taken penalties.
The resumption of the game saw FNB Maties’ forwards continue to excel in every facet of the game except at the lineout, where the wind continued to cause havoc. That forward dominance finally paid off when the men-from-Stellenbosch used a powerful scrum on FNB NMMU’s five-meter line to score the first try of the match in the 31st minute. They would score the second moments later after a perfectly executed rolling-maul gave FNB Maties a 12-6 lead at halftime.
FNB Maties came back in the second half and, now with the wind at their backs, were able to control territory more effectively. This paid dividends when FNB Maties scored their third of the match in the 46th minute after another excellent rolling-maul to extend their lead to 17-6 over FNB NMMU.
FNB Maties, bringing their backline more into the game, threw everything at the FNB NMMU defence, but it held firm and the score would be unchanged at the hour-mark. However, a controversial seven-point try by FNB NMMU’s, Kevin Kaba, in the 62nd minute brought the Eastern Cape side within four-points. Sensing the momentum of the game beginning to shift, FNB Maties opted to take their first penalty of the game which Theo Stapelberg duly slotted with 15 minutes remaining.
Two yellow cards in five minutes would turn the game on its head. FNB Maties captain, Beyers de Villiers, was sent to the Afkoelstoel in the 69th minute to hand FNB NMMU a rare opportunity. FNB NMMU made their numerical advantage count with their second try a minute later to bring the scores level at 20 apiece. And when FNB Maties lost another man to the Afkoelstoel, Ian Groenewald, in the 74th minute, FNB NMMU looked as if they were going to steal a victory at the death with their third try of the game.
FNB Maties had the last say though, as the forwards once again rallied together to put their side in the perfect position to level the scores in the 80th minute. Theo Stapelberg stepped up to take the pressure kick and delivered in difficult conditions.
FNB Maties would have learned that the new point-scoring system means no team is ever safe. No matter how much you lead by, you can never take your foot off the pedal until the final whistle sounds.
