There were eight teams, but now just four remain as Varsity Football nears the end of its sixth edition. It has been an interesting seven weeks of the round robin phase. Holders UP-Tuks were slow to get off their mark, but stepped up a gear when it mattered most by powering into the elimination stages. Wits made the most of their early season start to make sure that they are among the top four teams. Usual suspects TUT lived up to their expectations as they secured passage to the semi-finals on the last day of the round robin format. UWC, Limpopo, UKZN and NWU bid farewell to the competition and the search for the 2018 winner continues. Here is what we learned in round seven.
UKZN bow out with a win
It took forever to come, but when it eventually came it was something to be proud of. UKZN started like a team that was not interested in being a part of this historic tournament. They donated points for fun, but whatever the powers that be at their institution said to them, must have changed their attitude. Their 3-0 thumping of Limpopo was their parting shot in the competition. We are proud of the boys from KZN. After a close shave victory in the past two matches, UKZN reacted in the best possible way by hammering the whipping boys from Polokwane’s famous township Turfloop.
NWU left with more questions than answers
Their 2018 campaign started off like a house on fire but they suffered a dramatic collapse as they embarrassingly exited the competition. There were times when NWU were holding the umbrella and looking down on other teams. But losing three matches in a row against Wits, Tuks and TUT proved to be their undoing. NWU have never come close to winning the tournament since its inception and they are left with egg on their face. They won the hearts of neutrals in their opening three games with deserving wins. Their great win against UJ came too little too late. We were reminded that it’s now how you start but how you end.
TUT is the real deal
Regular Debonairs customers know all about the value-for-money Real Deal pizza sold at Debonairs. TUT are no different they too are the real deal. When they needed to go to Wits and get and result, they did that with aplomb. They went to Milpark to conquer them in emphatic style and seal their place in to the last four. If there was any doubt that TUT would not step up when they needed to, those doubts were put to rest. The red machine marches on.
UP-Tuks are onto something
The defending champions definitely know when to peak. Tuks mean business in this competition. They tore UWC to shreds in their own back yard. Their 3-0 victory over the Mother City-based outfit is a warning shot to the rest of their rivals. They are not prepared to surrender their title without a fight. Anybody that wants to be crowned champions this year will have to come through them first.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports writer
