CUT powers past UJ, Tuks' surge sinks Wits
VARSITY CUP WRAP: CUT Ixias and UP-Tuks emerged victorious on the opening day of the 2021 Varsity Cup at Tuks Stadium.
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CUT Ixias 46 (19) University of Johannesburg 13 (6)
After losing all five of their matches in last year's Varsity Cup, the University of Johannesburg were hoping to make a winning start to the 2021 tournament.
However, it was CUT Ixias who made an early statement with a six-try, bonus-point win.
It was set up by the CUT pack, who dominated the University of Johannesburg scrum throughout. As a result, Ixias tighthead prop Janu Botha won the Player That Rocks award.
The Bloemfontein university's first four tries were all scored by forwards - flank Johannes Terblanche, lock Brendon Fortuin, hooker Janus Venter and No.8 Ulrich Stander, who burst away down the left touchline to score a point-of-origin try in the corner.
Stander's seven-pointer gave CUT a 26-6 lead after 50 minutes and while wing Prince Nkabinde's try gave University of Johannesburg hope, Ixias flyhalf Charles Williams' boot and two tries from fullback Cohen Jasper completed a convincing win. Jasper stepped past two defenders during a brilliant run to score his second.
Player that Rocks: Janu Botha (CUT)
The scorers
For CUT Ixias
Tries: Terblanche, Fortuin, Venter, Stander (one sev-point try), Cohen Jasper 2
Cons: Williams 4
Pens: Williams 2
For University of Johannesburg
Try: Nkabinde
Con: Viljoen
Pens: Viljoen 2
Teams
CUT Ixias: 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Tsepo Malumane, 13 Niell Stannard, 12 Heino Bezuidenhout, 11 Ricoman Titus, 10 Charles Williams, 9 Zinedine Booysen, 8 Ulrich Stander, 7 Luvuyo Ndevu (captain), 6 Johannes Terblanche, 5 Derik Pretorius, 4 Brendon Fortuin, 3 Janu Botha, 2 Janus Venter, 1 Eddie Davids.
Replacements: 16 Andile Mfazwe, 17 Raynard Esterhuizen, 18 Tebogo Masemola, 19 Bennett Nortje, 20 Hardus Nel, 21 Xander Botha, 22 Jandré de Beer, 23 Emilio Adonis.
University of Johannesburg: 15 Boldwun Hansen, 14 Tyreeq February, 13 Musawenkosi Tshabalala, 12 Boitumelo Tsatsane, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jonathan Viljoen, 9 Mpho Kubheka, 8 Franco Schutte, 7 Siyabonga Masuku, 6 Kelvin Kanenungo, 5 Philip Apea-Adu, 4 Kwagga van Niekerk (captain), 3 Chergin Fillies, 2 Pierre Rabie, 1 Nkosikhona Masuku.
Replacements: 16 Darnell Osuagwu, 17 Kayden Kiewit, 18 Coenrad Vrey, 19 Brendon Pawson, 20 Lunga Ncube, 21 Jurich Claasens, 22 Indiphile Tyeda, 23 Enrique Franks.
UP-TUKS 48 (15) WITS 25 (18)
UP-Tuks switched gears in the second half to record a bonus-point win against Wits.
It was the visitors who hit the ground running with a try by hooker Morné Brandon after five minutes. He followed up with his brace 13 minutes later as the blue machine used their powerful forwards to dominant the line-out.
UP-Tuks fullback Alex-Zander du Plessis kept his charges within a shout of the opposition as he landed five penalties while his counterpart on the kicking tee, flyhalf Christian Humphries, added a conversion and a penalty to hand Wits a slender 18-15 lead at the break.
UP-Tuks returned the favour in the second half as they maintained possession while playing in the right areas and their efforts were rewarded within three minutes as inside centre Louritz van der Schyff finished off a sweeping movement with a point-of-origin try.
Rugby fans will know how descriptive the banter between forwards and backs is and the UP-Tuks forwards ensured one of their own bagged the next five-pointer via replacement prop Dewald Donald.
The Johannesburg-based Witsies enjoyed a family affair as replacement hooker Justin Brandon, older brother of Morné, crossed the whitewash.
A touching moment was when UP-Tuks replacement Werner Fourie took to the field after recovering from brain surgery to remove a tumour that was diagnosed after Round 1 last season.
The final 10 minutes belonged to the Stripe Generation as replacement loose forward Stephan Smit and scrumhalf Clyde Lewis crossed the chalk, while Du Plessis ended the evening with 10/10 kicks at goal.
Player that Rocks: Alex-Zander du Plessis (UP-Tuks)
The scorers
For UP-Tuks
Tries: Van der Schyff (one seven-point try), Donald, Smit, Lewis
Cons: Du Plessis 4
Pens: Du Plessis 6
For Wits
Tries: Brandon 2, Brandon
Cons: Humphries 2
Pens: Humphries 2
Teams
UP-Tuks: 15 Alex-Zander du Plessis, 14 Johannes Coetzee, 13 Sango Xamlashe (co-captain), 12 Louis van der Schyff, 11 Enrique Oranje, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Clyde Lewis, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout (co-c), 7 Hanru Sirgel, 6 Lindokuhle Luthuli, 5 Thomas Meyer, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Etienne Janeke, 2 Llewellyn Classen, 1 Cebolenkosi Dlamini.
Replacements: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Damien Swartz, 19 Stephan Smit, 20 Orateng Koikanyang, 21 Johan Mulder, 22 Wian van Niekerk, 23 Jaylen James.
Wits: 15 Jimmy Mpailane, 14 Wian de Lange, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Yanga Hlalu, 11 Sthsaba Mqhatu, 10 Christian Humphries, 9 Hlumelo Ndudula, 8 Cal Smid, 7 Lindokuhle Ncusane, 6 Constant Beckerling (captain), 5 William Thomson, 4 Kevin du Randt, 3 Keagan Glade, 2 Morné Brandon, 1 Jason Cloete.
Replacements: 16 Justin Brandon, 17 Bhekisa Shongwe, 18 Ebot Buma, 19 Junior White, 20 Phillip Krause, 21 Runaldo Pedro, 22 Kurt Webster, 23 Ngia Selengbe.