A total of 32 teams took part in the competition, with the teams divided into four pools based on strength. All the teams participating in the FNB Varsity Cup were placed in Pool A.
UJ kicked off the defence of their title with a 52-15 win over the University of Witwatersrand. UP-Tuks 1 recorded a 65-0 win over Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, a side which had beaten UP-Tuks 1 earlier this year in Pretoria.
On day two UP-Tuks 1 managed to beat another team who had beaten them earlier in the year, when they beat the University of Stellenbosch in a closely contested game that ended 22-19. UJ made easy work of NWU-Pukke, beating them 37-10 to set up a clash between themselves and arch rivals UP-Tuks 1 in the final of Pool A.
In the final, UP-Tuks 1 raced to an early lead and went into half time leading UJ 22-8. UJ fought back valiantly and managed to reduce the deficit to only five points with a quarter of the match still to play. UP-Tuks 1 proved to be too strong for UJ and Tuks beat them 37-29 to claim the title.
Tuks’ captain Reniel Hugo was awarded player of the tournament while the team’s pivot Anton Beswick won the award for the best back of the tournament.
UP-Tuks 1 will confidently go into their remaining Carlton Cup fixtures with the belief that they can defend their title after finishing the USSA tournament unbeaten.
Image: Tuks Rugby Club’s Facebook page.
