The visiting from Johannesburg won the try-fest 59-49, but this could have gone either way with the match being end-to-end stuff.

The Ixias hooker, Tokelo Ntapane, impressed with a hat-trick of tries in the first half to see his team trailing 31-28 at the half time break.

But a brace of tries each by the flanker Mark Snyman and the winger Wian de Lange gave Wits the go forward as they took control of the match from the 50th minute. The Ixias did however mount a comeback at attempt in the last 15 minutes of the match, however, it was too little, too late for the home side.

While the Ixias are rightly disappointed with the opening round defeat they can hold their heads up high. They are a young team and in no aspect of the game were they dominated or outclassed by a very solid unit from Gauteng.

It simply came down to execution where Wits were just that 1% better than their opponents on the day.

In round two the Ixias will travel to Stellenbosch to face Maties, while Wits are at home to the Orange Army of the University of Johannesburg in a Joburg derby.

Scorers:

CUT Ixias: Tries – Tokelo Ntapane 3, Zachery Bester, Ulrich Stander, Thabiso Mkhwebane, Maboe Sekele Conv. – Chris Rheeder 5

Wits: Tries - Lindokuhle Ncusane, Wian de Lange 2, Mark Snyman 2, Kabelo Mokhethi, Azakhiwe Afrika, Banele Mthenjane Conv. - Christian Humphries 7 Pen . - Humphries 1

Morgan Piek OFM Sport