UP-Tuks held perennial Varsity Women’s Football champions TUT to a 1-1 draw, but it was dampened by an injury to their captain Thalea Smidt.
During an evenly matched first half, both teams had their chances to open the scoring.
UP-Tuks’ came six minutes into the encounter, when Amilcar Thobejane was put through on goal. The striker, however, showed a lack of composure and steered her left-footer past the left upright.
TUT captain Hildah Magaia was causing the most problems for UP-Tuks defence and first went on a mazy run which ultimately came to nought. Then she drew a free-kick on the edge of the box which Lerato Williams put over the cross-bar.
Magaia, though, should have done better herself when she was found free in the box but blasted her left-footer over the bar rather than side-footing past national teammate Mapaseka Mpuru.
The second half produced goals but also a sad talking point.
UP-Tuks took a 1-0 lead after 39 minutes, when substitute Simamkele Tshuku latched onto a hopeful cross from Duduzile Qwabe and snuck her shot in off the underside of the crossbar.
The lead was short-lived, however, when Magaia broke clear onto a Nomhle Sangweni through ball, flicked the ball past Mpuru, then side-footed into an open net to make it 1-1 on Fanie du Toit A.
While the game looked set to spring to life it instead took on a sombre note when, 12 minutes before the end of the game Thalea Smidt befell a terrible injury. The UP-Tuks captain and star midfielder caught her foot in the turf and her ankle gave way which saw her stretchered off a few minutes later following treatment.
With both teams struggling with what they saw, the remaining minutes largely petered out leaving them to settle for a 1-1 draw.
TUT (0) 1 Hildah Magaia
UP-Tuks (0) 1 Simamkele Tshuku
FNB Player of the Match: Duduzile Qwabe (UP-Tuks)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Mapaseka Mpuru (UP-Tuks)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Hildah Magaia (TUT)
TUT: 27 Loretta Mokoena, 2 Rofhiwa Dzivhani, 19 Amanda Molefe, 4 Nokwanda Shabangu, 9 Gabonnelwe Kekana, 21 Lebogang Kotelo, 6 Nomhle Sangweni, 13 Pontsho Moshidi, 3 Lerato Williams, 5 Senamile Zulu, 7 Hildah Magaia (captain).
Replacements: 1 Charity Malatji (goalkeeper), 10 Lucky Mmakola, 11 Tshegofatso Aphane, 12 Nthabiseng Hlangoane, 14 Salome Dikgale, 17 Mildred Nathane, 25 Lesego Mashifane.
Coach: Sipho Mabuza
UP-Tuks: 1 Mapaseka Mpuru, 2 Nicole October, 5 Meagan Newman, 12 Relebogile Phala, 9 Morongwa Manamela, 10 Thalea Smidt (captain), 7 Katrina Maguire, 18 Duduzile Qwabe, 14 Khanyisiwe Matiwane, 23 Amilcar Thobejane, 17 Alexandra Michael.
Replacements: 27 Mamello Lesesa, 6 Tara Pemu, 8 Simamkele Tshuku, 13 Nomhle Skosana, 15 Zinise Norris, 16 Kwenadi Makhwela, 21 Moyahabo Monyemangena.
Coach: Maud Khumalo
