All eyes were understandably on the main match. UP-Tuks, fresh from their resounding success in the Varsity Cup competition, faced an opponent that underwent an almost complete facelift compared to 2012 when they were like proverbial lambs to the slaughter.

It has to be noted that UP-Tuks did not field their regular Varsity Cup team as most of them were not available due to provincial commitments. Of the 23 players who battered Maties in the Varsity Cup final, only Riaan Britz, Danie Faasen, Emile Temperman, Sabelo Nhlapo and Christoph Gouws played in the Carlton Cup opener.

A lack of cohesion, momentum and continuity were to be expected, but even so UP-Tuks showed a lot of heart and potential. The team will only get better as the league progresses. New UP-Tuks Head Coach Riaan Vorster would have been proud of his charges’ performance in the set pieces as well as the excellent ball control from kick-offs. At times UP-Tuks were devastating with their first time tackling, but they also leaked three very soft tries.

“I am satisfied with the result. It is what we wanted. There is room for a lot of improvement, but we fortunately know what have to be fixed and how,” said Vorster.

► UP-Tuks’ tries were scored by Dirko Smuts, Riaan Britz (2), Willie Engelbrecht, Dirk Dippenaar and Roelof Joubert. Wynand Pienaar succeeded with four conversions and a penalty goal.