With three rounds of fixtures played, the Varsity Football competition is starting to take shape, writes Charles Baloyi.

Men are now being separated from boys. Playing in a competitive competition like this really separates the sheep from the goats.

TUT has pulled off the biggest scalp with their 1-0 victory over NWU.

But NWU are still the overwhelming favourites to win the tournament. This team has the will to win and they are well on their way to winning the tournament. The surprise defeat against TUT is the wake-up called which they needed.  Credit to TUT for their fairy-tale start, but it’s just a matter of time before the wheels come off. They are just holding the umbrella for the NWU boys, who have been brought down to earth.

NWU has the ability to cut through the defences of other teams like a hot knife through butter. They will bounce back as their defeat was a blessing in disguise. The timing of the defeat is just perfect as it has not cost them the most after sought title in Varsity Football. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and the bad news for their next opponents is that they will be at the receiving end.

What I have seen is that they are the most disciplined team in the tournament and have been together for three years.

They play an exciting brand of football that wins over the supporters of opposition teams. Mzansi style of play sets them apart from other teams. NWU has gelled as a team. Spectators enjoy watching tsamayas’ and shibobos’ they want to see the flair at the games. I enjoyed watching their showboating on the opening day and they started doing that knowing that the points were safely tucked away.

To add their advantage they have the best football brains that have been around for donkey years.

Grandpa Ted Dumitru (73), who is their consultant, is one of the few coaches to lead Premier Soccer League giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns. They are in good hands as the madala knows how to prepare young blood for the biggest stages of their careers.

He may be using a walking stick but his football knowledge is priceless. His football accolades can easy fill a wheelbarrow. And he is now passing all that knowledge to NWU, so with him on their side they have all the ingredients needed to cook up a storm in this competition.

The Romanian retired manager is also one of the founders of the Transnet School of Excellence that produced Everton star and ex-Bafana Bafana skipper Steven Pienaar.

Dumitru was also in charge of the SAFA youth development from 1995 to 1997. Coach Augustine ‘Mthakathi’ Makalakalane boasts 14 international caps for Bafana Banfana. Having the pair as part of the technical team is a big plus.

I’m willing to put my head on the block and predict them as the inaugural champions – This competition is theirs to lose. Only a brave person can bet against them lifting the trophy.

But I will be failing in my duties, if I don’t single out TUT for special praise. Their gutsy performances in their three matches have made naturals sit down and take note. Their under-dogs tag suits them perfectly – but it’s not about how a team starts, but where they finish at the end of the standings on points.

The less said about Tuks the better, they are just huffing and puffing – they have done nothing but disappoint and are far from convincing. For all their sporting reputation they are yet to make an impression.

Here are my semifinalists – NWU, TUT, Tuks and NMMU.

Charles Baloyi is a sports writer for the Daily Sun and Sunday Sun.