TUT starts Varsity Shield campaign with good victory
The TUT Vikings have started their Varsity Shield campaign with a deserved victory over newcomers in the competition, Rhodes University.
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) opened their Varsity Shield campaign on a positive note beating Rhodes University 16-12 last week.
The TUT Vikings were well supported by an exuberant home crowd, but the newcomers from Grahamstown proved tricky customers.
Claude Johannes and his men worked hard for the victory. Speaking of Johannes, the outstanding lock was by far his team’s best player leading by example in defence and attack.
Although TUT’s victory will give the team a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournament, they will have to improve their overall game if they want to compete against the more established teams in the tournament.
Too many handling errors deprived them of momentum and the inexperience of the team manifested in too many poor decisions made.
TUT’s two flankers Mualaba Mukendi and Mpho Kganakga, as a combination, played very well and these rough diamonds have the potential to play at a higher level given the correct guidance.
Fullback, Bongani Zwane also has a lot of talent.
The home team did not start well. Just nine minutes into the game, the visitors’ lively hooker Uzu Nyanda opened the scoring with an unconverted try.
Rhodes’ flyhalf Mike Steel then extended their lead with a penalty, giving the Eastern Cape outfit a seven-point lead.
TUT started playing better, but poor handling prevented a breakthrough.
At half time Rhodes led 7-0.
Two minutes into the second half the Vikings’ flyhalf Litha Vumisa scored a well-orchestrated try. Centre Ruaan du Preez was successful with the conversion.
Just a minute later the visitors spoiled the party, with another try.
With just three minutes remaining, Stanley Modjadji of the Vikings scored the team’s second try and Ruaan du Preez converted for a victory.
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