Tuks had a "look at the scoreboard" moment when they beat the UFS Shimlas 42-39 in Round 7 of the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup encounter at  Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Monday, 17 May.

It was definitely not one of Tuks's best performances. At one stage, they were leading 20-0 but then things slowly starting to unravel. With 18 minutes left to play, Tuks was trailing 32-39. Zander du Plessis (fullback) only managed to seal the victory for Tuks in the 83rd minute, kicking a penalty goal.

But as the legendary Springbok, Boy Louw reasoned nearly 80 years ago, it is not how a team plays but who wins that matters. The statistics will show that Tuks had won last night. More importantly, they scored five tries to gain a bonus point. 

It means the team is still second on the log standings with 27 points after seven games. UCT Ikeys are the log leaders with 31 points. Maties have 25 points. CUT is on 22 points after six games and NWU has 19 points after six rounds. It means there are still five teams contesting to play the semi-finals. 

Conrad Boshoff (TuksRugby Head of Programme) praised Shimlas for their 'NEVER SAY DIE ATTITUDE'. 

"I think we definitely played the better rugby in the first 30 minutes, but then we let things slip. It is something you don't do, especially when playing against the Shimlas. It allowed them back in the game. Once they started scoring tries, they gained confidence.

"Credit must also go to Pote Human, the Shimlas coach. He is brilliant in reading the game, finding ways to disrupt an opposing team's play in the scrums and lineouts.

"The one thing that became clear last night is that Tuks is also a team that won't go down without a fight. We proved that we will take the game to the dying seconds doing whatever it takes to win. That bides well for the rest of the tournament."

According to Boshoff, the tighthead prop, Etienne Janeke, made a real difference in the second half as a replacement. He scored two tries. Du Plessis and David Coetzer (flyhalf) also played well. 

Tuks is playing the Madibaz on Thursday, 20 May. Judging by the results, it should be an easy game but Boshoff does not believe in taking anything for granted in the Varsity Cup Tournament." 

"The scoreline is not a true reflection of how the Madibaz played against Maties…They made Maties work for every try giving as good as they got in that the first 20 or so minutes." 

FNB Player That Rocks: Rewan Kruger (FNB UFS Shimlas)

FNB UFS Shimlas – Tries: Danco Burger (1x7, 1x5), Pierre Uys (1x5, 1x7), Rewan Kruger. Conversions: JP Duvenage (5).
FNB UP-Tuks – Tries: Dewald Donald, Louritz van der Schyff, Eduan Lubbe, Etienne Janeke (2). Conversions: Zander du Plessis (4). Penalties: Du Plessis (3).