Tuks eased to a 26-0 victory against Shimlas in an error-ridden Varsity Cup encounter in Pretoria on Monday.
In the 20th minute, Tuks flank Roelof Smit was driven over from 5m out, and flyhalf Tian Schoeman kicked the conversion to make it 8-0.
The hosts butchered several opportunities, and Schoeman’s missed penalty on the stroke of half-time summed up what was a frustrating first half for the defending champions.
The second half continued to frustrate, with missed opportunities, but Tuks were finally rewarded when former Baby Boks skipper Wiaan Liebenberg crashed over in the 69th minute after 12 phases to put some distance between them and Shimlas.
Schoeman added the conversion and kicked a penalty with five minutes to go, with Reniel Hugo having the final say with an intercept try in the last play of the game.
Tuks – Tries: Rudolph Smith, Wiaan Liebenberg, Reniel Hugo. Conversions: Schoeman (3). Penalty: Schoeman.
Tuks – 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Jade Stighling, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Ryan Nell, 11 Kefentse Mahlo, 10 Tian Schoeman, 9 Carlo Engelbrecht, 8 Rudolph Smith, 7 Wiaan Liebenberg, 6 Roelof Smit, 5 Reniel Hugo (c), 4 Dennis Visser, 3 Basil Short, 2 Sidney Tobias, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Brummer Badenhorst, 18 Jannes Kirsten, 19 Leneve Damens, 20 Emile Temperman, 22 Francois Tredoux, 22 Jacques Rossouw, 23 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Shimlas – 15 AJ Coertzen, 14 Mapuhta Dolo, 13 Robbie van Schalkwyk, 12 Joubert Engelbrecht (c), 11 Sethu Tom, 10 Gouws Prinsloo, 9 Kevin Luiters, 8 Neill Jordaan, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Tienie Burger, 5 Neil Claassen, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Nick Schonert, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Rudolf Botha.
Subs: 16 Gideon Bruwer, 17 Franco van der Merwe, 18 Fanie van der Walt, 19 Johan van der Hoogt, 20 Kay-Kay Hlongwane, 21 Pieter-Steyn de Wet, 22 Divandré Strydom, 23 Justin Pappin.
Other results:
Pukke 21 Maties 33
Maties bounced back from a disappointing start to the Varsity Cup to win in Potchefstroom. Charl de Villiers, Johnny Kotze, Robert du Preez and Louis Jordaan all scored for the Stellenbosch team.
NMMU Madibaz 13 UCT 26
The Ikey Tigers wrestled back the Monte Taljaard Trophy from their opponents in Port Elizabeth, beating the Madibaz in a hard-fought encounter. Shaun McDonald, Lihleli Xoli and Richard Stewart all scored for Ikeys.
UJ 32 Wits 15
UJ scored four tries to beat their local rivals and notch their first victory of the season. Tries were scored for UJ by winger Michael Haznar, centre Jacques Nel and two by flanker Tiaan MacDonald.
Varsity Shield results:
UKZN Impi 33 UWC 24
John Mitchell’s UKZN Impi powered to a bonus-point win over UWC in Bellville to record their first victory of the Varsity Shield season. Scrumhalf Cameron Wright, prop Stefan van Schalkwyk, centre Brandon Bailing and lock Johan Wagenaar all scored for the Impi.
CUT 39 TUT 18
Reigning champions CUT Ixias breezed past the TUT Vikings in the Varsity Shield in Pretoria. Duan Pretorius scored two tries, while Kholo Ramashala, Frans Sisita, Fanie Coetzer and Stephan Griesel all scored for CUT.
Photo: Varsity Cup
