Varsity Cup wrap: Ikeys snatch late win

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UCT, Shimlas, Wits, UJ and Maties emerged victorious in the opening round of the 2022 Varsity Cup on Monday.

UCT fought back from a 12-point deficit to claim a 35-26 bonus-point win over the NWU Eagles.

The Eagles dominated the set pieces and controlled the game for much of the first half. Flyhalf Nivan Petersen contributed 16 points from the kicking tee as NWU took a commanding 26-14 lead into the break.

The Ikeys improved at the scrum and lineout in the second stanza and managed to draw level with the Eagles as full time approached. They may have taken the lead several times at the death if not for three missed goal attempts.

The match was decided in the final minute, when Ikeys replacement Duran Koevort pounced on a loose ball and raced away to complete a point-of-origin (seven-point) try. The successful conversion denied the Eagles a losing bonus point.

MATCH CENTRE: 2022 Varsity Cup 

Elsewhere, Shimlas scored eight tries in their 56-16 demolition of UWC. And after the completion of the first round, Shimlas sit at the top of the Varsity Cup log by virtue of their outstanding points differential (40).

Wits got their 2022 campaign off to a flying start when they put five tries past the Madibaz to secure a thrilling 31-20 win.

And, in the last game, UJ edged plucky CUT side 44-42 in a riveting 12-try festival.

REPORT: Maties strike late to top Tuks

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