UKZN drew first blood when Siso France slotted an early penalty to put them 3-0 ahead, but SPU’s Khanya Kama quickly responded with a penalty of his own, levelling the score at 3-3.

UKZN’s Jordan Ramsamy powered over from a rolling maul, with France adding the conversion. Tumelo Papane hit back for SPU with a converted try. UKZN’s Wela-Aphumelele Takata then crossed the line, with France making no mistake from the tee.

SPU turned up the heat as Jan Potgieter and Leslie Ruiters dotted down, with Kama converting once and adding a penalty to give SPU a narrow 22-20 lead at halftime.

The second half saw UKZN’s Zak Smith pounce for a quick try, but SPU’s Liyabona Maplanga responded with a brilliant solo effort, levelling the score at 27-27. Jaiden Faviers then powered over, with Kama adding the extras. UKZN kept fighting, as Nhlakanipho Buthelezi scored with France slotted another penalty, before adding a stunning drop goal to keep the visitors in touch at 37-34.

Faviers sealed the deal with a late try under the posts, with Kama’s conversion securing the 41-37 win.

In Friday’s other matches, Varsity College beat Madibaz 40-14 and University of the Western Cape (UWC) thrashed Walter Sisulu University (WSU) 50-33. The other team from Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) also had a good start, beating the University of Fort Hare (UFH) by 41-10.

SPU will host CPUT in Kimberley next Friday afternoon. The match kicks off at 17:00 at the Suzuki Stadium.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger cg