Varsity 7s Day Two saw Kovsies and Madibaz in the first quarter-final and just like the weather conditions, the two teams delivered a sizzler.
Later on, other favourites made sure to progress safely through to the semi-finals.
MADIBAZ COMEBACK ENDS KOVSIES HOPES
With so much at stake at this stage of the tournament both teams wanted to proceed to the last four. Kovsies took the initiative and scored first to settle the early nerves. The team from Free State clearly wanted it more and their quality showed as they scored a second try on the cusp of half-time to lead 14-0.
Madibaz however were not going to go down without a fight and got their first try of the game. The game was starting to intensify and Madibaz got their second try to make it a four-point game. The pressure of knockout rugby got to Kovsies as they conceded a third try and were now 14-17 behind. Kovsies didn’t have anything left in the tank as Madibaz stunned the tournament favourites to win 17-14 and book a semi-final spot. Varsity 7s once again proved that it is a game of two halves.
UJ BRUSH ASIDE CPUT
The second quarter-final saw the Orange Army take on CPUT and it was the team from Jo’burg that scored first after Sphiwe Mazibuko showed blistering pace from his own half to give UJ the lead. UJ then scored a second successive try and had a healthy advantage. However, Mario Wilson arguably CPUT’s player of the tournament, showed massive strength to dot down and a possible comeback was on the cards however UJ went into the second half with a 17-7 lead after scoring a late first half try.
The second half started with CPUT activating their Powerplay but it was UJ that pounced on the opportunity and scored a 10-point try to lead 27-7 and put one foot in the semis. The Orange Army then sealed their march to the semis as they got their fourth try and capped a brilliant performance with a 37-7 victory after getting a fifth try at the death.
GAME UWC OVERWHELMED BY NEW FAVOURITES, UP-TUKS
The defending champions were up against UWC as they aimed to make it to the semis and defend their title. The script went according to plan for UP-Tuks as they scored an early try and bagged another one in quick succession and were running away with the match as Irvin Ali ran almost the whole length of the pitch for the Stripe Generation’s third. Then a fourth game during the Powerplay and UP-Tuks had a commanding 29-0 lead going into halftime.
UWC got the second half underway with a try and activated their Powerplayer moments later and possible comeback was looming as they were within touching distance from Tuks as Tristan Leyds scored a 10-pointer. However UP-Tuks inflicted more damage and dashed any hopes of a comeback as they scored their fifth and sixth try and won the match 41-17.
MATIES SEAL FINAL SEMI-FINAL SPOT
With the final semi-final spot up for grabs, Maties didn’t waste anytime in asserting their authority with an early try. They later utilised their own Powerplay and scored a lovely team try as a result. Maties were now spurred on by momentum and went into halftime with a 24-0 lead.
NWU managed to get a consolation try early on in the second half but Maties were too powerful for their opponents as Fredrick Van Zyl showed lovely feet to extend their advantage. NWU would eventually score a try at the death, however Maties won the match 31-14 to book a spot in the final four.
VARSITY 7S CUP QUARTER-FINALS RESULTS
Kovsies 14 Madibaz 17
UJ 37 CPUT 7
UWC 17 UP-Tuks 41
NWU 14 Maties 31
VARSITY 7S CUP SEMI-FINALS FIXTURES
12:07 Madibaz vs UJ
12:29 UP-Tuks vs Maties
VARSITY 7S BOWL SEMI-FINALS FIXTURES
12:51 Kovsies vs CPUT
13:13 UWC vs NWU
By Nkosinathi Shazi
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