“I am very proud of the boys. Let it be said though that we did not have it all our way as Centurion gave us a serious run for our money and had us a bit worried after they’ve managed to close the gap to only 23-30 in the latter part of the second half. We stuck to our guns, however and in the end the win can only be contributed to a formidable team effort. Every player deserves credit,” said UP-Tuks Head Coach, Blikkies Groenewald.

He is right about Centurion being very competitive. The visitors in fact lead at one stage in the first half and came back with a bang in the second. UP-Tuks also had to do with 14 men in this period after flanker Jacques Verwey was carded for a late tackle.

Groenewald agreed that UP-Tuks will have to make a step-up for the final against Police on September 10 at Loftus Versfeld.

“We will have to limit penalty infringements as Police has a very capable place kicker. Against Centurion we paid very dearly for our lack of discipline as their kicker (Francois Senekal) only missed with one of his four penalty attempts at goal. I was very impressed with our discipline in the first half, but in the first 20 minutes of the last period we lost our way and started infringing on a scale that could be disastrous in the final,” commented Groenewald.

He respectfully declined to comment on UP-Tuks obvious problems at fly half where it now goes to logic that young Tian Schoeman has to take over from the more experienced Karlo Aspeling.

Louis van Biljon (flank) was named Man of the match. He has been a stalwart throughout the season and it is indeed excellent news that he has decided to seek enrollment at UP as this will bring him in contention for UP-Tuks 1’s 2012 Varsity Cup squad.

Another player who does far more than his bit on the field is winger Dirk Dippenaar. He had a blinder against Centurion and again impressed with his ability to break tackles. Dirk deservedly got the nod as Back of the Macth.

No 8 Jono van Rensburg, a serious contender to wear the same number in the 2012 Varsity Cup was named Forward of the Match.

UP-Tuks’ forwards scored four of the five tries: Stairs Mlongo (lock), Louis van Biljon, Peet Botma (lock) and Jono van Rensburg, who touched down for his 8th five pointer of the season. The sole contribution from the backline was that of Ruhan Nel.

Karlo Aspeling (2 conversions, peanlaty goal) and Tian Schoeman (conversion, penalty goal) added the rest of the points.