North-West University pip UWC and gain some breathing space on the table while Maties put their bad performances behind them after a strong win over NMU.
UCT 7 – 27 Kovsies
After a bland first half, both teams came to the party in the second stanza with some exciting play. Kovsies had a brilliant move after a kicking the ball up the field as the Power Play siren went off. Armand Pretorious finished the move in the corner making the score 22-7.
The scoreboard started to run away from the Cape Tonians when UFS number four Jarik van der Walt received a brilliant inside pass for the nippy runner to score.
CUT 7 – 12 Tuks
After a slow start to the game with both teams showed water tight defences, Ruan Smit scored for his side after some sustained pressure on the Tuks line ended with the big number four crashing over after receiving a beautiful Sonny-Bill Williams-esque pass on the inside.
The men from Bloemfontein then converted. Tuks got onto the scoreboard when they launched a fantastic counter attack that started in their own half. Gerhard Coetzee of Tuks was given the ball out wide after his inside man set up a two-on-one with the last defender. Tuks then took the lead for the first time in the match after the Pretoria side won the ball at the break down right by the CUT line and Jsuan-Ré Swanepoel rumbled through the CUT defence to score.
UJ 36-0 UKZN
University of Johannesburg started off the scoring after using a set piece expertly before Carlisle Jordaan received the ball midfield, showed a dummy and sent the UKZN defence into disarray with the speedster diving over the whitewash. Moments later, the men in orange started an attacking motion from their own half which ended in Vuyo Shongwe adding the five pointer.
They kept their foot on the pedal when Ricardo Duartte had possession of the ball midfield and gave off a wicked side step to score. Jordaan added to his tally after a sensational turn of pace down the field led to a try. UJ ran away with the game when Martin van Wyk showed a clean pair of heels and scored after some intense chasing from UKZN. UJ then claimed the bonus point after a powerful surge from Cameron Langenhoven who broke through the middle of the UKZN defence.
UWC 7 -10 NWU
Perhaps one of the bigger games of the competition considering both teams’ stellar performances in the tournament. NWU started off the scoring after a well-worked backline move ended with Eddie Engelbrecht darting across the line to score. UWC scored their first try of the match, just before the end of the first half when Darian Hock make a break but realise he didn’t have the wheels so chipped forward for Kurt-Lee Arendse to run onto.
UWC scored again moments later when Arendse burnt down the right wing before giving the ball inside for speedster Rohaan Adams to score. NWU replied quickly though after breaking the line midfield and before the ball was sent out wide for NWU star Lungelo Gosa to dot down.
NMU 28-12 Maties
Maties started off the scoring after some sustained pressure on the NMU line but couldn’t break through the resolute defence. Maties playmaker Carlisle Nel then utilised a clever chip over the defence to score. Maties scored quickly after Bjorn Bernado used some quick feet to dance his way around the defence to give his team another five points.
NMU then hit back with a sensational five pointer when Michael Botha received the ball in his own half and then proceeded to sidestep four different players up the whole field before touching down. Stellenbosch didn’t take the score against them well and replied with try-machine James Murphy crashing over between the posts. NMU made another streak up field with Tristan Fourie doing the honours for his side. Stellenbosch showed what a quality side scoring and grabbing the bonus point.
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