#TuksRugby: Nine tries scored by Tuks for a bonus-point win against CUT in Round 7 of the 2022 FNB Varsity Cup season

Posted on March 22, 2022

On Human Rights Day, Nico Luus (head coach) had just reason to smile after Tuks secured a dominant 61-12 victory against CUT in Round 7 of the 2022 Varsity Cup season.

The challenge for the last two games had been to go for "maximum". It meant getting 10 points from two games. Simplified, it meant scoring ten tries. The players did better. They scored 16 tries. Last night on their home turf, Tuks dotted down nine times. The previous Monday against UWC, Tuks scored seven. 

For Luus and his coaching staff, it was a case of loving it when a plan comes together. Tuks is definitely on the hunt to retain the FNB Varsity Cup title with 20 points after six games, but they can't afford any slipups. 

As things stand, Maties tops the log with 24 points. There is a real chance of them getting another ten plus points in their last three games. UFS Shimlas is second with 22 points. Tuks and Shimlas still got to play. Ikeys are third with 21 points. Wits also have 20 points while UJ is on 19. Tuks plays Wits on Monday. Their last encounter is against UJ. 

Tuks dominated from the very first minute against CUT last night. The big loosehead prop, Ethan Burger, is building a reputation as being Tuks's try-scoring opener. He dived over for his team's first try in the third minute. The previous week against UWC, he scored in the second minute and then again in the 15th. 

It was the forwards who laid the foundation for Tuks's victory. They dominated in every facet. 

"I got to praise Kobus van Dyk and Reghardt Botha. Kobus is the reason why Tuks scrumming better and better, while Reghardt is the one who has finetuning our lineout tactics. Actually, I got to thank everyone on our coaching staff," said Luus.

"We started with a relatively young and inexperienced team, but it did not take long to get the players to believe in their abilities through our coaching staff's passion." 

"Last night against CUT was not a perfect game. We should have scored a few more tries but did not due to making mistakes."

Luus can't help but be excited about how Divan Venter performed. 

"Divan seemingly cannot do anything wrong on the field. If he continues to play as he has been playing, there is a real chance that he will be our Player of the Tournament.

"I also got to praise Francois Klopper (tighthead prop). He just keeps on going, never getting tired. He is one of a few who can play 80 minutes non-stop. And he is always in the thick of things, scrumming, going for big tackles and gaining yards with the ball in hand.

"Our captain, Lincoln Daniels, also had a good game being tactically astute."

Tuks 61 (33) – Tries: Ethan Burger, Divan Venter (1x5, 1x7), Kabelo Mokoena, Stephen Smit, Tharquinn Manuel (1x7), Werner Fourie, Orateng Koikanyang, Mihlali Stamper (1x7). Conversions: Clyde Lewis (2), Walter Visser (3). 
CUT Ixias 12 (7) – Tries: Jan Kotze, Matthew Sekele. Conversion: Zinedene Booysen.
FNB Player That Rocks: Kabelo Mokoena (Tuks)

- Author Wilhelm De Swardt

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