Tuks U20 may have fallen 36-33 to NWU in their opening match of the 2025 FNB Varsity Cup Young Guns competition on Monday, but they can hold their heads high. The team showed immense courage, staying in the fight until the final moments when they pressed on the attack but couldn’t convert their efforts into points.

Despite the result, Tuks coach Allen Soutter is satisfied with his team’s performance. Considering this was the young squad’s first match in two years in the Young Guns Tournament, their spirited display bodes well for the season ahead.

"Against Noordwes only three second-year students were playing. The rest were all first-years who played school rugby last year. I am impressed with how much the players have grown in the last six weeks.

In the scrums and lineouts, the young players more than held their own.

What ultimately made the difference was how NWU fullbacks and wings teamed up on the attack to create scoring opportunities. Both wings scored two tries. They are lightning-fast when they have the ball in hand.

"Tuks' backs also broke the line on several occasions, but unfortunately no points were scored.

"The players who impressed me were our midfield pair, Ighnatius Jantjies (scrumhalf) and Joshua Dampies (flyhalf), as well as the number eight Khanyisa Stamper. Things started to go wrong when Jantjies and Stamper came off the field."

According to Tuks captain and second-year medical student Ivaan Koltzow, it was a seesaw battle.

"We had the upper hand for the first 20 minutes. Unfortunately, we slacked off a bit after that. That gave Noordwes a chance to get back into the game. What cost us, in the end, was the fact that we couldn't finish when we were inside Noordwes' quarter area on offence. Noordwes were also better at exploiting the mistakes we made.

"I'm quite good at stealing the ball in a maul, and I'm effective in the lineouts. I'm also not afraid to put my body on the defence line. When I have the ball in hand, I get over the advantage line and can create gaps for my teammates.

According to the Tuks vice captain Tumelo Mohale, the moment he first ran out to defend the university's honour on the rugby field will stay with him for a long time.

As a centre, defence is important to him.

"I'm not one of the biggest centres, but then again, it's not always about how big you are. It's all about heart, and you have to back yourself when you play.