Tuks won 29-27 after leading from start tot finish.
It was typical nail biting Varsity Cup rugby as the result was in the balance until the last minute. Pukke fly half WD Botha could have leveled the score in the second last minute, but his attempt failed.
That was ironical, because before that crucial last kick Botha had already succeeded with a conversion and five penalties. His personal tally of 17 points was evident of the major role kicking played in the result.
Tukkies’ reply to Botha was JC Roos (picture above), who last year still played schools rugby for the Blue Bulls and his alma mater, Waterkloof. He was one of five players in the starting line-up who made their Tukkie debut.
Roos contributed 19 points through four penalties, two conversions and a magnificent drop goal. The latter was only awarded after being referred to TMO Michael Cupido.
Roos’ kicking was of vital importance in the Tukkie victory as were the visitor’s defense and the tries scored in the opening minutes of both halves. Debutant Elwin Fransman’s five pointer was a true gem.
Johan de Bruin, who captained Tuks for the first time, said in the post-match interview “we will have to work on our discipline, but in the end our defense was sound enough to ensure a major away victory. It was a fantastic team effort that pulled us through.”
Roos, named Man of The Match, agreed with his captain.
“I am nothing without the team. They make or break me,” he added after a near masterful performance.
Tuks next game is on 9 February when they travel to Port Elizabeth to take on Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. The PE team took the heaviest beating of the opening round.
Scorers:
TUKKIES (10): Tries: Johan Jackson, Elwin Fransman. Conversions: JC Roos (2). Penalty goals: Roos (4). Drop goal: Roos.
PUKKE (6): Tries: Willem van der Wal, Wenstley Scott. Conversion: WD Botha. Penalty goals: Botha (5).
 Other results:
UJ 16, TUT 9; Maties 12, Ikeys 10; Shimlas 37, NMMU 11.