Reigning Varsity Cup champs, Tuks, scored seven tries in a resounding 51-19 win over UWC on Monday night at the latter’s home ground in Cape Town.

Playing with a howling south-easter at their backs, Tuks had the better of possession and territory in the first half and converted most of their opportunities.

Big men like prop Ethan Burger carried strongly to breach the UWC defence on a regular basis. The visitors scored four tries in only 28 minutes to secure the bonus point.

UWC were outplayed at the set pieces and at the collisions. While the wind influenced their performance in the first half, they were their own worst enemies with ball in hand and conceded far too many penalties.

The hosts were more accurate in the second stanza, and managed to score three tries. Nevertheless, they failed to reduce the deficit sufficiently to claim any consolation bonus points.

Behind a pack of forwards who dominated, scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde was excellent again. He showed once again that he will challenge the Currie Cup scrum halves in Pretoria later this year with his current level of play.

With this victory, Nico Luus’ men moved back to fourth place on the log. However, the competition is still going to be very difficult in the last four league rounds, as at this stage it looks like seven teams will be fighting for a place in the play-off rounds.

Scorers: 

UWC 19 (0) – Tries: Aydon Topley, Justin Theys, Shaine Orderson. Conversions: Lyle Hendricks (2).

Tuks 51 (28) – Tries: Ethan Burger (2), Bernard van der Linde (1×5, 1×7), Allister Williams, Orateng Koikanyang, Divan Venter. Conversions: Clyde Lewis (7)

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