Eagles edge Tigers in Final thriller
MATCH REPORT: The NWU Eagles claimed their second Varsity Cup title with a hard-fought 27-25 victory over UCT Ikey Tigers at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom.
First-half tries from Vernon Paulo (two) and Tino Swanepoel, converted by Zinedine Robinson gave the Eagles the edge heading into half-time.
Robinson also landed a penalty.
Ntokozo Makhaza was successful with three penalties, but it wasn’t enough as the home team went to the break with a 20-9 lead.
Ikeys made their intent clear at the start of the second half, coming out all guns blazing and scoring a quick point-of-origin try through Reynhardt Crous to make it 20-18.
The Eagles remained under pressure for much of the half with the visitors being relentless on attack.
Tino Swanepoel showed why he was voted as the Player That Rocks in the semifinal against Maties last week as he scored a try to get the Eagles out of a difficult position, making it 27-18.
Ikeys however continued with the pressure and a late try by Jac van der Walt made it a two-point game at 27-25.
Had a few balls gone to hand and the ball bounced their way, it may have been a different outcome.
In the end, the Eagles held their nerve to lift the coveted Varsity Cup trophy for the second time after they first did so back in 2016.
The scorers
For NWU Eagles
Tries: Paulo 2, Tino Swanepoel 2
Cons: Robinson 2
Pen: Robinson.
For UCT Ikeys
Tries: Crous, Van der Walt
Cons: Makhaza 2
Pens: Makhaza 3
Player That Rocks: Reynhardt Crous (UCT Ikeys)
Teams
NWU Eagles: 15 Tino Santino Swanepoel, 14 Keano Ricardo Windvogel, 13 Theunis Gerhardus Pretorius, 12 Vincent Phatudi Phatudi, 11 Naiden Jaarts, 10 Zinedine Robinson, 9 Sylvester Hassien, 8 Gustav Zacharias Erlank, 7 Karl-Heinz Henlein Bertram, 6 Chris Vermaak, 5 WihanNel, 4 Stephan Krugel, 3 Ruan Swiegers, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Ruben du Plessis.
UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Joshua Boulle, 12 Kyle Lamb, 11 Ntokoza Makhaza, 10 David Hayes, 9 Asad Moos, 8 Laro Delport, 7 Kyle Ndiao, 6 Siphumezo Dyonase, 5 George van der Westhuizen, 4 Reynhardt Crous, 3 Bryan le Roux, 2 Blanckenberg, 1 Keagan Woji Luthando.
Referee: Christopher Allison
Assistant referees: Paul Mente, Dylen November
TMO: Stephan Geldenhuys
Source: @varsitycup