Tuks power to Varsity Cup triumph

Tuks power to Varsity Cup triumph

9 Apr 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched Tuks rally to a 29-21 win over Maties in the 2012 Varsity Cup final in Pretoria.

Forget the mixed reactions to the new scoring system and the late controversy following the team selection scandal, this final was a great advert for the Varsity Cup: rugby that rocks. Tuks clinched their first title as they beat three-time champions Maties in an epic finish to the year.

It was a ferocious, physical battle between the two teams, especially up front among the forwards. The tackle points and rucks resembled a war zone as players put their bodies on the line to give their troops momentum.

While Maties ruled the lineout contests and were defensively strong, Tuks held the upper hand at scrums and collisions for most parts of the match, and the hosts utilised this platform to achieve victory and give the students from Stellenbosch their first defeat of 2012.

Tuks used their physical dominance well, and this ascendancy was taken in the opening moments of the match. They even turned down kickable penalties and opted for touch to pursue the whitewash. This led to their first try when outside centre Jerome Pretorius powered through after good phase play.

After the strategy break, Maties hit back thanks to the individual brilliance from fullback Andre Smith, who chipped the ball into space and gathered to dot down. Both sides headed into the half-time with the score deadlocked at 13-13, after Tuks reserve prop Basil Short and Maties lock Hugo Kloppers crossed the chalk in the final quarter.

Tuks’ second-half display was pivotal as they dominated shortly after the restart. They forced Maties on the back foot from the kick-off, and a midfield turnover was capitalised upon when scrumhalf Lohan Jacobs finished off a smart counter-attacking move.

Then came the telling score. Tuks persisted with the aerial route on attack, despite the lack of success earlier in the match. Clayton Bloemtjies won possession from an up-and-under that sailed into the Maties red zone, and the fullback offloaded to lock Franco Mostert to burrow through under the posts.

With a 16-point buffer at the death, the win was secured among the chants of ‘Tuks of niks’ from the 14 000-strong home crowd. Even a consolation try from Maties reserve prop Hein van der Merwe couldn’t dampen the celebrations. The Varsity Cup trophy will leave the Cape for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2008 and will be based in Pretoria for the next year.


39 Comments

  • 1.ufo: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 18:32 pm

    go maties…!!

  • 2.wpforever: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 18:38 pm

    Draghoender and Blommetjies :-)

  • 3.wpforever: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 18:40 pm

    Go Maties !

  • 4.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 18:57 pm

    GO MATIES! lets make it 4 from 5!

  • 5.Sasuke: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 19:14 pm

    go maties! whats the score?

  • 6.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 19:16 pm

    Tukkies just scored – 5-0
    Hopefully Maties will be back very soon

  • 7.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 19:18 pm

    Tuks all over them at moment

  • 8.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 19:34 pm

    Andre Smith (15) scored for US after a chip and collect- Joe Pieterson style

  • 9.Michael: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 19:45 pm

    Go Marties!

  • 10.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:03 pm

    Varsity cup has really turned into a spectacle.

    Well done to the organisers!

  • 11.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:05 pm

    Looks like there’s more fans at maties fan park ( in stellenboch) than the average crowd at ellis park ;-)

  • 12.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:06 pm

    This ref has a great pair of naas botha teeth. What a legend :-)

  • 13.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:10 pm

    This TUKS side has great character and by character I mean deon helberg.

    The milfhunter who faked his own death :-)

    Can’t make this stuff up.

    What a legend :-)

  • 14.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:14 pm

    Upset on the cards, I guess the pierre spies pep talk before the game had effect on the boytjies.

    What did he say?

    Don’t tackle like me ;-)

  • 15.Pee Wee: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:21 pm

    Ref allowing Tuks lots of leeway at the rucks and mauls

  • 16.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:29 pm

    I’ve noticed refs tend to the favor the home teams in varsity cup.

    TUKS need it otherwise they won’t win.

    Its true ;-)

  • 17.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:41 pm

    Game set match.

    My findings:

    TUKS fullback very good and deserve CC opportunity.

    MATIES tight 5 very impressive.

    MATIES the better team but TUKS at home on the night deserved to win.

  • 18.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:42 pm

    my fav varsity team Maties, playing as well as my fav S15 team the Lions

  • 19.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:44 pm

    @ namlion,

    The irony is that your varsity team will probably beat your S15 team :-)

  • 20.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:49 pm

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-19: :) and they’ll both beat the Spears/Kings

  • 21.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:51 pm

    Maties the better team?

    Don’t look like it from where I’m sitting

  • 22.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:52 pm

    @ namlion,

    Do you think if they merge the kings and lions then they can be called:

    The Lion King.
    :-) :-) :-)

  • 23.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:53 pm

    maties playing like the stormers, undefeated the entire season, but lose the final

  • 24.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:57 pm

    Well done Tuks! Bulls feeder system developing nicely.

  • 25.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 20:58 pm

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-22: :) its been succesful in theatres all over the world! we’ll have to see how well it perfoms on grass

  • 26.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:01 pm

    @ namlion,

    If its anything like the movie then it will end in tears for the lions :-)

    @ dawn,

    Maties undefeated the whole season.

  • 27.namLion: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:02 pm

    Well done Tukkies, Heyneke etc’s help and purchasing half a Maties team finally got you the cup! no hard feelings!

  • 28.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:10 pm

    @ tac,

    You are correct, look at the following names who all in current bulls match 22 who worked their way through bulls structure:

    Flip, kruger, potgieter, hougaard, steyn, sadie, bjorn, kirchner, wepener, vermaak and engelbrecht.

    More than 50% were bought or contracted from other unions. :-)

  • 29.ufo: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:17 pm

    well played tuks…

    better team on the night no doubt…

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-22:

    too tame bud…

    call them Kings of Lion

    and hope that, merged, their Rubgy’s on Fire…!!

    :wink:

  • 30.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:25 pm

    @ ufo,

    Yes I can see it, The King of Lion greatest hits:

    1. Minority
    2. Under pressure
    3. money money money… Money
    4. Where have all the people gone?
    5. It ain’t over yet
    6. Sorry seems to be the hardest word
    :-)

  • 31.poethklapp7: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:27 pm

    Eat **** maties.

  • 32.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:39 pm

    Yes congrats to TUKS, the Bulls u/21 team played really well tonight ;-)

  • 33.ufo: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 21:45 pm

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-30:

    :lol:

  • 34.NoRugbyGuru_0_: Reply to this comment
    9 Apr 2012, 22:12 pm

    I’m watching highlights of bulls/saders game, do yourself a favor and watch between 35 – 38 minute mark.

    Jaque potgieter made a tackle on carter, flynn or saders prop then cleared potgieter then on purpose grabbed/gouged bulls player face and only left it when the ref said “hands off”.

    How did the citing commissioner miss this?

    Dirty kiwi filthy hobbit-scum.

  • 35.Taahirah: Reply to this comment
    10 Apr 2012, 07:31 am

    Great game.

    Why does our obvious rugby superiority not translate onto the international stage?

  • 36.greatest13gerber: Reply to this comment
    10 Apr 2012, 07:46 am

    great to hear

    Tuks, despatch

    good memories

  • 37.DG: Reply to this comment
    10 Apr 2012, 09:08 am

    Wie het die koshuis beker gewen?

  • 38.Bill Reyts: Reply to this comment
    10 Apr 2012, 09:20 am

    @DG(DG)-37:

    Vishuis! I had so much fun last night. The atmosphere was electric. My daughter is ecstatic with the result… I’m torn.

  • 39.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    10 Apr 2012, 09:52 am

    @NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-28: ask him where are brummer, jinka, skosan, van velze, dippenaar, watermeyer, marnitz boshoff, okkie kruger, deon helberg :D

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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