UJ on a hat-trick of losses
PRETORIA – Although UJ led for most of the game, the Pretoria side broke the hearts of the visiting fans courtesy of a Lionel April try in the dying minutes.
It seems as if the University of Johannesburg‘s (UJ) losing streak in the FNB Varsity Cup 2020 isn’t over yet.
On 17 February, the University of Pretoria (UP) handed UJ their third loss of the season in a 26-24 home win. Although UJ led for most of the game, the Pretoria side broke the hearts of the visiting fans courtesy of a Lionel April try in the dying minutes.
The orange army started the game strongly and a point-of-origin try from fullback Shaun Williams got them onto the scoreboard with seven points. UJ extended their lead once again, this time thanks to a Tatendaishe Mujawo try. The conversion was successfully turned into points with flyhalf PW Steenkamp doing his part. UP would not let the visitors bully them in their backyard and turned up the heat. UP’s Theo Boshoff scored his team’s first try and converted to reduce UJ’s lead to 19–7 at half-time.
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Into the second half and UJ looking to register their first victory in the tournament scored their third try through lock Andre Meyer. However, Boshoff managed to get his second try of the game and the conversion thanks to some impressive teamwork. Things started going bad for UJ as UP’s man of the match Hanru Sirgel scored a try to reduce UJ’s lead to 24–21.
UP finally stole the game from UJ with April scoring the try for the final 26–24 scoreline. It was UP’s third straight victory with UJ registering their third straight loss.
UJ will be given the chance to re-strategise as they will not be competing in fixtures scheduled for 24 February. Their next duel will be against North West (NWU) on 2 March.
Wits University did not feature in the 17 February fixtures but will return to action on 24 February to take on NWU.
