Tuks edge resilient Maties
In a wet Pretoria outfield, a try by Tinus de Beer in the 74th minute proved to be the difference between the sides in an epic see-saw battle.
The wet conditions proved to be a huge obstacle for both teams as they tried to keep their hands on the ball in front of a good turnout of supporters, and after 10 minutes of play, the scoreline remained deadlocked.
However, before the 20th minute approached, Maties broke the deadlocked with a successful penalty kick by Ernst Stapelberg, 3-0.
Trailing really shock the home side into action and after 10 minutes of relentless pressure, their efforts were finally rewarded thanks to their hard-working No.8 Chris Massyn, who crossed the white chalk for the 5-pointer, 5-3.
The narrow lead was shortlived as UP-Tuks ill-discipline kept Maties in the match. Again they conceded a penalty and Stapelberg was all too happy to oblige with his successful penalty kick in the 38th minute, 6-5.
Maties took the narrow 6-5 lead into the break.
As the teams emerged from the break, the rain started settling into a light drizzle with much of the proceedings happening between the 22s. Both teams were awarded penalties, Tuks flyhalf De Beer slotted over his kick. Soon followed by Stapelberg who was successful with his kick.
And after 65 minutes of play, the score was swayed in favour of the men in maroon, 9-8.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, it seemed that Loftus was about to experience a maroon Monday, but a great try by the reliable Tuks flyhalf De Beer saved the day.
The final score 13-9 in favour of Tuks.
The Scorers:
For UP-Tuks
Tries: Massyn, De Beer
Pen: De Beer
For Maties
Pens: Ernst Stapelberg 3
UP-Tuks: 15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Dewald Naude, 13 Toko Maebane, 12 Impi Visser, 11 Keanan van Wyk, 10 Tinus de Beer, 9 Theo Maree, 8 Chris Massyn, 7 Marco van Staden, 6 Ruan Steenkamp (captain), 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Aston Fortuin, 3 Neethling Fouche, 2 Jan-Henning Campher, 1 Andrew Beerwinkel.
Replacements: 16 Theuns Reynolds, 17 Jaco Holtzhausen, 18 Brian Leitch, 19 Eduan Lubbe, 20 Raegen Oranje, 21 Christo Hamman, 22 Mervano da Silva, 23 Franco van den Berg
Maties: 15 Craig Barry, 14 Duncan Saal, 13 Kyle Steyn, 12 Braam Venter, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Ernst Stapelberg, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Devon Nash, 7 Kobus van Dyk, 6 Beyers de Villiers (captain), 5 Johan Momsen, Ernst van Rhyn, 3 Jacobus van der Merwe, 2 Freddie Kirsten 1 Wesley Adonis.
Replacements: 16 Craig Corbett, 17 Niel Oelofse, 18 Janco Venter, 19 Mitchell Carstens, 20 Logan Boonzaaier, 21 Chris Smith, 22 Ryan Muller, 23 Wikus Groenewald.
Referee: Jaco Pretorius
Assistant referees: Local
