UJ thumped UCT 40-12 in Cape Town, while there were also wins for Tuks, Wits and Pukke in round seven of the Varsity Cup.

After losing their first two matches, UJ have come into some form and have now won four games on the trot. It’s an altogether different story for UCT, who’ve won just two of their six matches and are in danger of missing out on a spot in the playoffs.

UJ dominated possession in the opening quarter before the strategic break, but playing into the wind at the Green Mile pinned them back in their own territory.

At the turn of the strategic break, UJ made their move. They raced out to a 16-0 lead at half-time with tries by Johan Esterhuizen and Ewan Adams, after UCT captain Jason Klaasen was yellow carded.

The first score of the second half went the way of the hosts, but UJ didn’t rest on their laurels. Jannes Snyman and Jo-Hanko de Villiers breached UCT’s feeble defence again. And while the winners did concede a second try, they closed out the match with a seven-point try originating from inside their own 22 to seal an emphatic victory at the Green Mile.

Meanwhile, Tuks demolished Shimlas 65-19 in Bloemfontein. The winning margin would have been even greater if Tuks kicker Tinus de Beer converted all their tries, but he only managed to succeed with four attempts from nine.

In the other matches on Monday, Wits edged NMMU 30-20 in an exciting clash, while Pukke battled past CUT 43-38.

UCT – Tries: Gerard Pieterse, Seb Roodt.
UJ – Johan Esterhuizen, Ewan Adams, Jannes Snyman, Jo-Hanko de Villiers, Godfrey Ramaboea. Conversions: Divan Nel (4). Penalties: Nel (4).

Shimlas – Tries: Vuyani Maqina, Stephan Janse Van Rensburg, Lihleli Xoli. Conversions: Marco Mason (2).
Tuks – Tries: Sibahle Maxwane (2), Dewald Naude (2), Andrew Beerwinkel, Chris Massyn, Clyde Davids, Divan Rossouw, Jan-Henning Campher. Conversions: Tinus de Beer (4).

Wits – TBC
NMMU – TBC

CUT – TBC
Pukke – TBC

Photo: Varsity Cup