Michael Horak and the UKZN Impi team have taken another huge step towards Varsity Cup promotion in defeating nearest rivals Wits 26-21 in Johannesburg.
As they’ve done so many times this year, the UKZN lads had to fight back after a poor start and with their hosts running out to an early 13-0 lead, there was plenty of catching up to do. A Tristan Tedder penalty at least got them on the board, but with Wits scoring a third try before half time, things looked bleak for our heroes. Wits took a 21-2 lead into the break.
Just like the Sharks before them, though, the Impi turned it on in the second half, shutting out their hosts and “winning” the half by 24 points to nil. Two tries to lightning winger Thobe Buthelezi sandwiched a score that went to either Morne Joubert or Tedder himself, depending on who you listen to. The former Kearsney pivot added all three conversions and UKZN now take a 5-point lead on the log over Wits, with each side facing three remaining fixtures.
The challenge facing Horak’s team now will be to keep focus and ensure they don’t drop any of their remaining games, with potential banana peel fixtures against UFH and UWC in the mix, along with what should be a formality against TUT.
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Yes!!! Well done Impi, what a comeback in that second half!
Epic result
And Lazarus walks again. Well done.
This must be the promotion pretty much guaranteed now right?
@Seth101 (Comment 4) : I’d think so yes. Rob?
SHARKS in the making!!!!!
@Seth101 (Comment 4) : @vanmartin (Comment 5) : three more fixtures to go, so not yet I guess
Great to have a Varsity side on the up in Natal.
Well done Impi
@vanmartin (Comment 7) : we can’t afford to lose any of our last three games. Well, I guess we could lose one of them, but then that could open the door.
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Do you know when the next fixtures will be played?
@robdylan (Comment 10) : I thought this was only our 4th game. Is the season only 7 games? Is it a short season?
@Hulk (Comment 12) : no, that was our fifth.
@vanmartin (Comment 11) : next game is Saturday .
@robdylan (Comment 10) : @vanmartin (Comment 11) : Looks like the dates are up on the site but venues will be confirmed later on.
@Hulk (Comment 12) : http://varsitycup.co.za/varsity-shield-fixtures . Looks like 11 rounds with two byes and a final. So 8 games in total if I didn’t screw up.
Interesting that the only thing that really seems to be keeping Wits in the hunt are there bonus points.
@vanmartin (Comment 14) : bear in mind they are re-jigging the fixture list as they go, so don’t read too much into anything beyond the next round of games.
That Impi backline is fiery, glad they are playing both Bosch and Tedder.
@robdylan (Comment 15) : Will do
@Vonno13 (Comment 16) : Bosch was subbed fairly early on. Not sure if it was injury or tactical.
According to the site, WITS have a PD of 1109? How is that even possible?
@Seth101 (Comment 18) : Answered my own question looking at the results, obviously a mistake.
@Seth101 (Comment 18) : Saw that too and had a good laugh
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 8) : ukzn showed a lot of character to come back from 21-2 down.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 21) : character, we have it
Just WOW!
@robdylan (Comment 10) : Yeah no…I think we have to assume that Wits will continue to score a bonus point in every game. So we can’t afford a loss. Just keep going boys. This was BIG!
Well done Impi!!!!! Great victory!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 10) : @vanmartin (Comment 14) : now Wits can’t do anything to overtake the Impi, so all Impi must do is win win win!!!!!
What a satisfying few days of rugby these have just been…super chuffed!
@pastorshark (Comment 27) : yes if only the Blitsbokke won then it would have been perfect!!!
@JD (Comment 28) : Maties contributed to my rugby enjoyment by thrashing UCT last night… 😀
@pastorshark (Comment 29) : ok yes Maties old boy if I remember correctly?