Maties, Pukke and Kovsies remain the only undefeated teams, as the three pull ahead at the top of the log in Round Three of Varsity 7s.
UJ vs Kovsies
It was the biggest clash of Varsity 7s Day One, as the defending champions took on UJ, who have looked deadly in the first two rounds.
Kovsies’ Neil Stannard scored a 10-pointer after his coach called the Power Play. A clever lineout set up Stannard, who scored beneath the posts – a maximum 12 points for the score.
Benjamin Janse van Vuuren capitalised on some sloppy Maties defence to go through and take his team to 19-0 at half time.
Devon Mare pulled it back at the restart after a breakaway try and a brilliant Ronald Brown conversion took it to 7-19.
UJ’s star, Ronald Brown pulled another one back, but a try by the Kovsies captain took it away from the men in orange, final score 26-12.
The defending champions still undefeated after three matches.
Tuks vs Pukke
Pukke started strongly with Elof Scheepers picking up a loose ball to run around the left flank and score the opener between the posts for his side.
The scores remained that way going into the second half. The two teams were as well-matched as seen in Day One, as neither could assert dominance over the other. At half time the teams shared possession 50-50.
Then, with tired bodies with just minutes on the clock, the drama arrived. Tuks’ WJ Strydom scored in the Power Play after brilliant work by the captain.
They led 12-7 momentarily. But off the restart, Pukke’s Eugene Hare scored in the corner after the hooter to level it up at 12-12. Ryno Wepener had a conversion drop goal attempt on the touchline to seal the victory and he held it brilliantly! Pukke won 14-12.
UCT vs Madibaz
UCT finally began a match strongly, scoring early through Raynoe Mapoe, with a good conversion, putting them 7-0 up.
Madibaz’s Mihlali Gqibitole hit back straight away after a sleek offload put him through for the try. It was back level at 7-7. In the second half Mapoe got his team’s second try, as UCT led again, 14-7. The team joined in on an inventive basketball-style celebration.
Mabibaz scored to bring it back to 14-14 after fine work by Bryce Rennie, with three minutes to play. Only moments later Creswin Josephs collected a UCT kick and stepped the last UCT defender to score and take his side to a 21-14 lead.
The game was split wide open as UCT’s Paul Hendry scored and the scores were level again at 21-21. That’s how it ended after a fumble by UCT after the hooter inside the Madibaz 22.
Maties vs WSU
Maties’ Francois Myburgh was on the end of a try that began deep from within Maties’ own half and they were up 5-0 as early as the first minute.
Only moments later and Maties spread the ball wide, keeping possession, eventually finding the overlap as Tanner Lightfoot finished off the move and Maties led 12-0 at half time.
WSU defence held strong, for a fair deal of the second half, but with three minutes to play Maties turned the ball over inside WSU’s 22 and Angus van Niekerk went through to finish it off.
A clever chip and chase by Carlisle Nel, and a lucky bounce, handed a Power Play try to the Maties. Francois Myburgh scored another try, to round off a clinical performance and it ended 31-0 to Maties.
UWC vs UFH
It was an even match up as two teams who have surprised spectators were up against each other in the final Round Three match.
Rohan Adams of UWC was yellow carded after four minutes for throwing the ball away.
UFH’s Athiphila Mlotywa scored a try and levelled scores at 5-5 after some brilliant wide passing and a well-timed offload.
UFH were at it again on the stroke of half time, scoring to go 10-0 up, with a few classy celebrations to add.
Rohaan Adams got his team back in the game, finishing off a well-worked UWC move to take the scores to 10-10 in the Power Play. Another try just seconds later by Ruan Mostert put UWC ahead 17-10.
It all opened up and UFH scored to level it up at 17-17. But it was UWC who would steal it at the death. Nieyaas Johnson with a show and go and UWC completed the comeback, to win the match 24-17.
Results:
UJ 12-26 Kovsies
Tuks 12-14 Pukke
UCT 21-21 Madibaz
Maties 31-0 WSU
UWC 24-17 UFH
