The visitors scored three converted tries in the first half en route to securing their second Varsity Cup win for 2019.

This was the Bushies’ final home game in their first-ever Varsity Cup competition. A match which would have most likely been earmarked as the one to win by Chester Williams and his charges turned out to be their fifth consecutive defeat, third at home.

Despite restricting the visitors to a solo try in the opening 15 minutes. Ruan Wasserman powered over the tryline for the opening try, Heinrich Bitzi converting to make it 0-7. The scoreline would have been stretched had it not been for a brave try-saving tackle from Sthsaba Mqhatu when he brought Cohan Jasper down metres from the UWC try line.

The visitors, however, soon added their second try when captain Rayno Nel muscled through two UWC players, Bitzi adding his second conversion, 0-14.

Brilliant running lines from Darren Jaftha allowed for Tristan Leyds to score the home side’s first try. The conversion was missed leaving the scores at 5-14. 

The momentum shifted for the home side when Jaen-Louis de Lange was red carded for a dangerous tackle on Bitzi. The CUT flyhalf landing very badly injuring his neck. De Lange was adjudged to have lifted Bitzi past the horizontal warranting the end of the match for the UWC lock. The men from Bloemfontein added a try converted via hooker Anrich Alberts,

Alberts went over for his second early in the second half, replacement flyhalf converted Marc Morrison converted, making it 5-28, and securing the bonus point for the visitors.

A passage of play ensued that saw UWC dominate with broken play but the lead that the visitors built up proved to be too much. Leyds scored his second, a seven-point try, and Andre Manuel added the final UWC try but it was too little too late. Hardus Nel scored CUT’s fifth try and with Morrison adding a late penalty it took the game away from the home side, 21-38.

Scorers

UWC: Tries - Tristan Leyds 2, Andre Manuel Conv. -  Aidynn Cupido (2), Yellow Card - Moegamat Kannemeyer Red Card - Jaen-Louis de Lange

CUT Ixias: Tries - Ruan Wasserman, Rayno Nel, Anrich Alberts, Anrich Alberts, Hardus Nel
Conv - Heinrich Bitzi (2), Marc Morrison (3) Pen. - Marc Morrison

- Varsity Cup