Rugby
NWU thrash CUT in first game on home soil─── 07:38 Tue, 30 Jan 2018
The North West University Pukke managed to pull off a deserved victory in their season opener at the Fanie du Toit Sports grounds after dominating the Central University of Technology 70 -7.
NWU won the toss and hit the ground running, with Walt Steenkamp opening the scoring within the first two minutes of the game.
After spending the first ten minutes in CUT’s half, Dean Gordon took advantage of an overlap and managed to score in the corner for NWU.
Estehan Visagie scored for the NWU, with Schalk Hugo converting the try and putting NWU 21-0 after 25 minutes of play.
CUT had an opportunity to get some points on the board after being awarded a penalty, but Heinrich Bitzi was unable to convert, leaving the score at 21-0.
NWU managed to get even further ahead after Schalk Hugo converted a penalty and put his team ahead 24-0 with 6 minutes still to play in the first half.
On the cusp of half-time, Tiaan Erasmus managed to drive over the line and score for CUT, with Heinrich Bitzi managing the conversion. This meant that CUT were going into the second half with only a 17-point deficit.
To get the second half started, Dean Gordon scored the first seven-point try of the match after a brilliant crosskick from Schalk Hugo, who also managed to convert the try. Tapiwa Mafura’s great show of pace put the NWU even further ahead after he scored in the corner. Schalk Hugo missed his first conversion of the game, but NWU were still 40-7 ahead.
Gideon van der Merwe put NWU even further ahead after 51 minutes of play, once again scoring in the corner. Schalk Hugo was unable to convert but NWU still maintained a hefty lead.
After 54 minutes NWU decided to use their power play, choosing to send off Duncan van Vuuren and Ruben Heymans. Unfortunately, they were unable to capitalise from the three minutes of only thirteen men on the field for CUT, with the score remaining 45-7 after 57 minutes of play.
After 61 minutes CUT used their powerplay, sending Evardi Boshoff and Akhona Nela off for three minutes. This proved to be futile as Estehan Visagie scored his second try of the match for NWU. Schalk Hugo managed the conversion, putting NWU ahead 54-7.
Hendrik Marais scored a runaway try from inside his own half, giving NWU their third seven-point try of the game. Schalk Hugo converted successfully with the score at 63-7 with 10 minutes still to play.
Just before the final whistle Evardi Boshoff got his first try and NWU’s ninth, with Schalk Hugo nailing his last conversion and NWU winning the game 70-7.
