Tuks flyhalf Joshua Stander missed an 81st minute conversion to hand UJ a narrow 18-17 victory, while there were also wins for Maties and Pukke in round four of the Varsity Cup on Monday.
UJ flyhalf Divan Nel was deservedly crowned Player That Rocks after the game for his flawless six from six kicking display, but the match will be remembered for Stander’s poor miss at the death, which could have turned this fixture on its head.
Coming into this Gauteng derby, Tuks were the only unbeaten side and UJ were one of two teams yet to win a game this season. But the hosts, despite their poor discipline which resulted in three yellow cards, did enough to overcome their more fancied neighbours from Pretoria.
Nel and his opposite number Tinus de Beer traded penalties twice in the first half for a 6-6 scoreline at the break. But after the resumption, Nel nailed three more penalty attempts on goal, and De Beer one as Tuks trailed 15-9. De Beer was replaced by Stander, who succeeded with a long-range effort, but Nel remained a thorn in Tuks’ flesh as he coolly slotted his sixth and final penalty.
But there was more drama to come as Tuks scored in the 80th minute following a dominant scrum on the 5m line and they could have snatched a victory with the subsequent conversion. But Stander, from dead in front, incredibly sent his shot wide of the uprights.
Elsewhere, Maties secured a 35-16 bonus-point win over NMMU in Stellenbosch. But despite the flattering scoreline, the hosts had to grind out the victory. NMMU led 11-5 at the break, before the Maroon Machine overturned the deficit with four second-half tries to seal the victory that takes them to the top of the table.
Meanwhile in Pofchefstroom, Pukke – sans captain Jeandre Rudolph due to injury – returned to winning ways with an exciting 20-13 victory against UCT.
UJ (18) – Penalties: Divan Nel (6).
Tuks (17) – Try: TBC. Penalties: Tinus de Beer (3), Joshua Stander.
Maties (35) – Tries: Niel Oelofse, Wikus Groenewald, Brendon Nell, Craig Barry, Michal Haznar. Conversions: Chris Smith (4).
NMMU (16) – Tries: Wynand Grassmann, Rouche Nel. Penalties: Thomas Kean (2).
Pukke (20) – Tries: Estehan Visagie, TBC. Conversions: Schalk Hugo (2). Penalties: Hugo (2),
UCT (13) – Try: Gary Porter. Conversion: Lohan Lubbe. Penalties: Lubbe (2).
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
