NMU will host CPUT in the Varsity Shield final after thrashing UKZN 46-0 in their semi-final in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

NMU, who won all six of their round-robin fixtures, proved too powerful for the KwaZulu-Natalians, who had finished fourth on the log.

The hosts scored the opening try after three minutes through scrumhalf Dundre Maritz, and never looked back, with both tighthead prop Johan Van Wyk and fullback Tristan Fourie crossing to give them a 15-0 half-time lead.

There was little resistance from UKZN in the second half as outside centre Riaan Esterhuizen scored off the first attack from the kick-off, before his midfield partner Christopher Hollis went over for a quick-fire brace. Substitutes Cameron Cato and Njabulo Toni added further tries in the closing stages to complete the rout.

Elsewhere, CPUT put in an impressive second-half performance to demolish the Eastern Cape-based WSU 40-8 in Bellville.

A tightly-fought first half saw the home side go into the break 10-8 ahead, thanks to a converted try from lock Ameer Hendricks and a penalty from flyhalf Ralton October. WSU narrowed the scores just before the break when lock Bongikosi Ngqushwa went over from a driving maul.

The second half was in complete contrast to the first as fullback Randy Brinkhuis, CPUT’s leading try-scorer, and hooker Keadon Consul, wing Christopher Andrews and replacement hooker Bekithemba Gqibithole all scored to see them through to the final.

Photo: Michael Sheehan