UCT kicked off and got the first penalty of the game, with Darian Hock putting his team 3-0 up. NWU replied almost immediately when Reuben du Plooy snuck past UCT’s defence to score his first Varsity Cup try. Five minutes later Du Plooy struck again for NWU, giving them a 12-3 advantage after fifteen minutes of play.

Botter Moloto extended NWU’s lead when he mauled his way over the tryline, putting NWU 19-3 ahead with twenty minutes still to play in the first half. Joshua van Vuuren put UCT back in it when he scored UCT’s first try, and Darian Hock made no mistake with the conversion.

A penalty by Schalk Hugo edged NWU further ahead. NWU’s discipline let them down when Eugene Hare was awarded the first yellow card of the game, and matters only got worse when Gideon van der Merwe received a red card on the cusp of half time. Despite having the odds against them, NWU led 22-10 going into half time.

UCT’s second half was off to a sour note when Brandon Salomo got UCT’s first yellow card of the game. NWU took advantage of UCT’s fourteen men on the field when debutant Edmund Rheeder scored to seal the bonus-point try. Hugo slotted the conversion to take a 29-10 lead.

Gary Porter gave UCT a glimmer of hope when he scored their first try of the second half, and Darian Hock slotted the conversion to leave UCT chasing a twelve-point deficit. Captain Joshua Moon got UCT’s second yellow card of the evening, but NWU were only able to steal three points to secure a 32-17 win for NWU.

Scorers
Pukke:  Tries - Reuben du Plooy 2, Botter Moloto, Edmund Rheeder Conv. - Schalk Hugo 3
Pen. -  Hugo Yellow card - Eugene Hare Red card - Gideon van der Merwe

Ikeys:  Tries - Joshua van Vuuren, Gary Porter Conv. - Hock 2 Pen. -  Darian Hock Yellow cards: Brandon Salomo, Joshua Moon

- Varsity Cup