It is not original, but somehow it seems justified to use the cliché when the going gets tough the tough get going to describe how UP-Tuks went about beating North West 24-18 in last night’s Varsity Cup semi-final encounter at the University of Pretoria.
Pundits predicted that the game would be a humdinger as North West has built a reputation as a team that can cause an upset when playing away in a semi-final. They so nearly did so last night. Up to the very final seconds, the result was hanging in the balance. UP-Tuks only ensured the victory through their never say die attitude proving for the umpteenth time that they are without peer when it comes to the defence of their try line.
During next Monday’s Varsity Cup-final in Stellenbosch UP-Tuks will face-off to a dominant Maties team who in their last three games amassed a massive 190 points while only conceding 45. There are those who compare this team to being one of the best ever in the history of Maties rugby. Last night at home Maties thrashed Shimlas 47-5 in their semi-final encounter.
The UP-Tuks players are however not fazed by Maties impressive statistics. For more than one it was last night a case of bringing it on “we will give as good as we get” when we take to the field in the final.
Lourens Pretorius (UP-Tuks centre) reiterated that through their Varsity campaign he and his teammates have become the personification what a “Band of Brothers” should be about.
“When we started out all of us might not have bought into the concept of one for all and all for one. It might have been mere words to some, but now that is who we are. A ‘Band of Brothers’. I can’t think of any other players I would like to take on Maties playing the Varsity Cup-final.”
Pretorius credited their semi-final victory to a near perfect blitzkrieg in the first 15 minutes. Ciaran Dayaram scored twice in mere minutes to give Tuks 15-0 lead. The big winger, however, refuses to take any credit saying that getting to score was the result of true team effort.
“I am privileged to be playing with brilliant players on my inside who knows how to set up scoring opportunities.”
Dayaram’s second try is proof. Tinus de Beer who has got a knack for spotting gaps in the opponent’s defence put in a brilliant cross kick to the winger who made no mistake in catching the ball and then running a few metres before dotting down.
De Beer deservedly got the man of the match-award, and that was not only for his tactical brilliance. He is now officially the leading all-time points scorer in Varsity Cup rugby.
Yesterday was also a special day for Denzil Hill (eight-man). The morning he graduated receiving his post-graduate diploma in entrepreneurship. Last year he completed his BCom Marketing studies.
“Graduating and then getting to help UP-Tuks qualify for the Varsity Cup-final was truly special especially since it was the last time that I will get to play in front of my home crowd. That was why it was so important to win.”
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