Varsity 7s was off to a perfect start for the defending champions, Kovsies, who outmuscled WSU, while UJ came from behind to win in dramatic fashion and Maties shut out rivals UCT.
Kovsies vs WSU
The defending champions were off to a strong start, as they scored the first try of Varsity 7s within the opening minute of the tournament.
Moments later, they took the first Power Play of the competition, scoring another try, counting 10 points during the Power Play.
Kovsies crossed over for another try soon after that, before WSU pulled it back to 22-5 at the break. It was all Kovsies in the second half, as the defending champions closed out the opening match 36-10.
Tuks vs UWC
Tuks started their match against UWC the stronger of the two teams, executing an excellent kick and chase for Dewald Naude to score the opener.
Despite Luke van der Smit receiving a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle,
WJ Strydom pounced on an opportunity to score a second Tuks try on stroke of half time to lead 12-0 at the break.
Ill discipline cost Tuks again in the second half when WJ Strydom was yellow-carded and Tuks went down to six men.
UWC’s Ruan Mostert took immediate advantage on the wing with an overlap during the Power Play play to pull it back to 12-12
It was a different UWC team in the second half and soon Nieyaas Johnson scored another for UWC after taking a quick tap following pressure on Tuks after the restart and UWC led 19-12.
The pressure continued and it was all UWC. They scored a couple more through Ruan Mostert, rounding up a 31-12 victory.
UJ vs Madibaz
UJ looked strong from the get go, as Varsity Cup star Aphiwe Dyanti rounded the Madibaz defence to put his team up 5-0 in the first minute.
But Madibaz hit straight back, Dundre Maritz levelling the scores at 5-5.
UJ were down to six men after they had a player unnecessarily yellow carded for kicking the ball away.
Christiaan Willemse made them pay in the corner moments later, as Madibaz took a 10-5 lead. It wasn’t long before another try by Nathan Gogela put Madibaz up 17-5 just before half time.
Brilliant try by UJ put them back in the match as they scored a five-pointer through Ronald Brown and converted it and pulled the scores back to 12-17.
Christiaan Willemse thought he had scored the winner for Madibaz, crossing over after the final hooter, but it was late drama as the referee called play back for an earlier infringement. UJ took a quick tap and scored in the corner to win the match in dramatic fashion, 19-17.
Maties vs UCT
It was a cagey affair between the Cape rivals. UCT had the upper hand early on, but it was Maties who took the lead through Josh Moon, who scored an intercept try, running from inside his own half, capitalising on a loose UCT pass.
It was evenly matched again in the second half, until Paul de Wet scored for Maties. The men in maroon took their opportunities and led 10-0 with three minutes to play.
A quick tap and go by Maties and allowed Pierre du Toit to cut through the UCT defence to score between the sticks. It ended 24-0 to Maties when Brandon Asher-Wood scored after the final hooter. An even match, but Maties taking their opportunities to greater effect than UCT.
Pukke vs UFH
Pukke lay down a marker in their opening match. Elof Scheepers was in fine form and scored after two minutes of well-contested play to give Pukke a 7-0 lead.
Moments later Pukke’s Tiaan Liebenberg crashed over, and they led 14-0.
UFH struggled to get their hands on the ball and retain possession, but their defensive efforts were a promising sign.
Elof Scheepers scored again after slick hands by the Pukke men and soon they led 21-0. A dummy pass by Eddie Engelbrecht set him through and they led 28-0 with a minute to play.
UFH would get a consolation Power Play try, to end the match on 28-12.
Results:
Kovsies 36-10 WSU
Tuks 31-12 UWC
UJ 19-17 Madibaz
Maties 24-0 UCT
Pukke 28-12 UFH
