There are many unique ways to celebrate one’s 21st birthday, but after Thursday night, Tuks’ fullback Zander du Plessis can boast he has done something few others have – to help his team win an important Varsity Cup game.

The lanky fullback was instrumental in steering Tuks to a 47-19 victory against UJ. It was the team’s second consecutive Varsity Cup victory and Du Plessis contributed 18 points with the boot.

This performance of course follows the 26 points he piled up against Wits on Sunday.

Rugby, however, is for Du Plessis, not about personal statistics. For him, it will always be about what is best for the team. Getting the ball to soar high between the poles is his job, but so are running into gaps and tackling.

“Yesterday was really special. To play rugby on your 21st birthday, win the match and be able to celebrate with friends is something I will remember for some time to come,” Du Plessis said.

Tuks, CUT Ixias and NWU Pukke are the current log leaders with ten points after two games. Ikeys, who is also unbeaten, has got nine points.

Tuks head coach, Nico Luus, had reason to be satisfied. Apart from 20 minutes in the second half, his team dominated against UJ.

“It was a much better performance than Sunday against Wits. Our forwards battled in the first few scrums, but once the technical glitches got sorted out, they held their own. We are to blame for those 20 minutes UJ pinned us down in our half. We went for the wrong options, but the players learned from their mistakes,” Luus remarked.

What excites the coach is that they could field three 19-year-old players at one stage during the game, and they all impressed.

“Ambesa Zenzile scored a brilliant try. In fact, he tested the defence each time he had the ball in hand. Dlamini Cebolenkosi (loosehead prop) did not allow himself to be bullied in the scrums. Bayanda Ngubane was equally deceptive on the attack,” said a proud Luus.

As has become the norm over the last three years, Hanru Sirgel (lock) and Jaco Bezuidenhout (number-8) were relentless from the first minute-putting in the hard tackles and finding the gaps in the UJ defence with ball in hand.

David Coetzer (flyhalf) is proving to be a brilliant tactician. Always steering his team closer to the try line. Wian van Niekerk impressed as inside centre.

The only worrisome thing for Luus is that Stephan Smit (flanker) got injured. He is possibly going to be sidelined for at least two weeks. Smit is a player with an unbelievable work rate. He seems never to tire.

Tuks will face the NWU Pukke next on Sunday and this game promises to be a humdinger.

The Varsity Cup is played in a secure bio-bubble at the University of Pretoria from 4 April to 24 May.

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