The five-point haul took the Ikey Tigers back to the top of the log after Tuks had briefly occupied the position earlier in the day, while the Eagles’ two bonus points see them finish Round 8 in fifth position, one point behind CUT and one ahead of UWC.

NWU celebrated the life of 2018 captain Tiaan Bezuidenhout, who passed away in a tragic car accident earlier this month, by retiring the No 8 jersey for this match. Ruben Dreyer wore the No 24 jumper instead as a nod towards the life and times of a very special player to the NWU family.

The Ikeys, undoubtedly the frontrunners to lift the trophy on 31 May, flexed their prowess as fullback James Tedder scored a converted point-of-origin try and slotted a penalty goal to rack up a healthy lead within the first 15 minutes.

Wing Rethabile Louw followed suit with a strong try before the Eagles opened their account through flank Jandré Burger.

Tedder would land another penalty but FNB NWU prop Komape Moloto barged over to reduce the deficit to 22-10 at half-time.

The Ikeys express took just four minutes to score when the match resumed with lock Connor Evans dotting down, before NWU replacement prop Sampie Swiegers pulled back a try that was converted by flyhalf Nivan Petersen.

Replacement lock Byron Bowes cantered over for a try for UCT which Tedder naturally converted. He added a further two penalty goals, while Burger swiped his brace quicker than a teenager at an arcade.

Bowes bowed out to a yellow card in the 68th minute to which FNB NWU duly cashed in as flank André Fouché dashed over the chalk and inside centre Marco Donges was deadeye on target with extras.

Another yellow card against the Ikey Tigers, this time to replacement prop Jovan Bekker, paved the way for Eagles wing Sylvestor Hassien to score a vital stoppage-time try that wrapped up two bonus points, but was ultimately not enough for the win.

Player That Rocks: Liam Greenhalgh (UCT Ikeys)

NWU Eagles – Tries: Jandré Burger (2), Komape Moloto, Sampie Swiegers, André Fouché, Sylvestor Hassien. Conversions: Nivan Petersen, Marco Donges (2).

UCT Ikeys – Tries: James Tedder (1x7), Rethabile Louw, Connor Evans, Byron Bowes. Conversions: Tedder (4). Penalties: Tedder (4).