Boitumelo Makaepea
The Stripe Generation has kept its record of being undefeated in this year’s Varsity Cup campaign. After securing their win against FNB NWU in the first round of the Varsity Cup, FNB UP-Tuks kept the momentum going as they beat FNB CUT in the second round and FNB UJ in the third round.
FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB NWU
FNB UP-Tuks had their first encounter with FNB NWU at the Tuks Stadium on 3 February to a sold-out crowd. Even though FNB UP-Tuks were the first team to register points of the match, FNB NWU came back into the game as captain Edmund Rheeder scored the first try in the game. In what seemed to be a tough match for the visiting side, FNB NWU consistently kept their lead until Theo Boshoff, who was later awarded FNB Player that Rocks, scored the first try for FNB UP-Tuks. Things went into halftime with FNB NWU leading FNB UP-Tuks by 26-22. In the second half, Werner Fourie scored a seven-point try that got FNB UP-Tuks back in the lead with 31- 26. As both teams continued to pressure each other, in the end, it was Boshoff who scored a penalty, post-full-time whistle. The final score was 42-40 for FNB UP-Tuks.
FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB CUT
In the second round of the Varsity Cup, FNB UP-Tuks clashed against FNB CUT in Bloemfontein. When the whistle blew for halftime, FNB CUT was in the lead with 20-16. The second half was quite tough as both teams put pressure on each other. However, FNB UP-Tuks managed to fight back and, in the end, walked away with a win of 40-23 to FNB CUT.
FNB UP-Tuks vs FNB UJ
In the third round of the varsity cup on 17 February, FNB UP-Tuks hosted FNB UJ at the Tuks Stadium. FNB UJ dominated FNB UP-Tuks from the onset, as Musawenkesi Tshabalala scored the ‘point-of-origin’ try earning them 7 points. Twenty minutes into the game, FNB UP-Tuks struggled to score points as FNB UJ kept on breaking through their defence. In what seemed to be a tough battle for FNB UP-Tuks, Kabelo Mokoena scored the first try of the game, awarding FNB UP-Tuks five points. As halftime came around, FNB UJ led the FNB UP-Tuks with 19-7. Coming back into the second half, it was hard for both sides to break through each other’s defence. The crowd’s presence was also felt as they kept the energy alive by cheering on their home side, FNB UP-Tuks. FNB UP-Tuks also received some strong words from the coach in the second half. As FNB UP-Tuks continued to attack The Orange Army, their very own Hanru Sirgel dotted over the line, making the score 21-24 with FNB UJ still in the lead. In the dying moments of the game, Lionel April scored a try that put the match to bed as FNBUP-Tuks won with 26-24.
Look out for the upcoming UP-Tuks match against the Shimlas at the Tuks Stadium on 24 February at 19:00.
Images: Reg Caldecott