Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Hard work, a lot of tears, heart breaks, disappointments, empty tummies, loneliness, doubt, not being good enough, having nowhere to go, faith, drive, hope, passion, consistency, has never deterred Nathan Nkutu’s dreams of playing professional rugby.

The outgoing CPUT men’s rugby team captain, Butsha Mputa made an emotional tribute to his teammates at the team’s awards, which were held recently at the Granger Bay Campus.

A development engineer who recently recovered from Covid-19 is a member of the CPUT team competing in this year’s Absa Cape Epic, known as the biggest full-service mountain bike stage race in the world.

Defending champions FNB CPUT will go head to head with FNB WSU (Walter Sisulu University) in what promises to be an epic Varsity Shield final.

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.