The first half could only be described as lethargic which could be due to universities starting on the same day as the Varsity Cup.

It was the men from Bloemfontein that drew first blood as flyhalf Marc Morrison kicked a penalty goal and it would take almost the entire first half for the University of Pretoria to respond.

Flank Stephan Smit crossed the whitewash to score but flyhalf Tinus de Beer could not convert. De Beer did land a penalty goal after the half-time whistle to hand UP-Tuks a slender 8-3 lead at the break.

The men from Pretoria extended their lead in the 53rd minute as wing Ciaran Dayaram dotted down a seven-point try. De Beer was unsuccessful with his penalty attempt.

CUT pulled back three points courtesy of inside centre Heinrich Bitzi's boot before De Beer landed one of his own.

The Stripe Generation had the final say of the match as inside centre Wian van Niekerk scored a seven-point try which allowed UP-Tuks to secure a 23-6 win against their Free State counterparts.

Scorers
UP-Tuks: 23 Tries: Stephan Smit, Ciaran Dayaram, Wian van Niekerk Penalties: De Beer (2)

CUT: 6 Penalties: Marc Morrison, Heinrich Bitzi.

- Varsity Cup