WSU ALL BLACKS BEAT CPUT TO QUALIFY FOR 2024 FNB VARSITY SHIELD SEMIFINALS

The WSU All Blacks are headed to the final four of this year's edition of the FNB Varsity Shield rugby competition after a stunning victory over CPUT in Cape Town on Friday 5 April.

The Eastern Cape outfit showed pure grit and determination away from home to beat CPUT 23 - 19 in a packed CPUT Stadium in Bellville.

The game started ominously for the visiting side as CPUT registered their first try during the 16th minute thanks to a quintessential backline move finished off by winger Keenan Williams.

The hosts would further extend their lead thanks to a converted try by lanky lock forward Ntsako Mhlanga, who crossed the whitewash on the 29th minute to see CPUT extend their lead to 12 - 0.

WSU flyhalf, Maxwell Curtley Klaasen, opened the visitors' account with a 35th minute try thanks to a scintillating run that saw him cut the hosts' defence like a hot knife through butter.

He added two points to convert his own try and see the scores register at 12 - 7 with CPUT in the lead.

The visitors took advantage of a faltering CPUT side by scoring their second try during the 37th minute to level the scores going into the the halftime break.

Former WSU All Black and current CPUT eighth-man, Ayabulela Zono, registered the first points of the second half thanks to a converted try under the posts during the 53rd minute that saw the hosts take a 19 - 12 lead.

WSU's flyhalf, who eventually took home the Player That Rocks accolade, made another crucial play during the 55th minute when he ripped the ball from the clutches of an attacking opponent before regathering it and pinning his ears back to score in the corner to make the score 19 - 17 to the hosts.

A further two penalties by the WSU flyhalf would see the visitors shatter CPUT hearts by registering a heroic 23 - 19 road win to qualify for this year's semifinals.

By Thando Cezula