Character is what Dewey Swartbooi attributed to Tuks’ 38-22 victory over Ikeys in the Varsity Cup Tournament on Monday night.

“I can’t quite describe it, but the guys have a belief in their ability, and they go with it. That’s why they played the way they played last night. I take my hat off to them,” said Swartbooi Tuks’ head coach.

The experienced and popular coach added that ‘one bird doesn’t make a summer’.

“The win against Ikeys is good. We got maximum points on the log, and for that I am grateful. But it must not be forgotten that this is the Varsity Cup Tournament. Every Monday will boil down to a war of attrition on the field. Naas Botha said at the time that the Currie Cup is not won in May. The Varsity Cup is definitely not won in February either,” Swartbooi added with a smile.

Ikeys’ left winger, Lezane Davis, scored within the first 25 seconds of the match. Tuks fans could be forgiven for thinking at that moment, ‘please not again’, because last year Ikeys beat Tuks twice.

Tuks’ captain, Dillon Smith, scored for Tuks shortly afterwards, after running with the ball for almost 25 metres. Ikeys took the lead again after a try by Jack Benade, but that was it. After that, Tuks took the initiative and dictated the match. At half-time, Tuks were 28-17 ahead.

Ikeys were relentless in attack in the second half, but Tuks’ defensive play was brilliant. That also excites Swartbooi.

That look when you get handed the FNB Player That Rocks award and cheque powered by FNB eWallet! Congrats to Divan Du Toit on an excellent performance in the @TuksSport Stripe Generation win over defending champs UCT. #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/Fhbwggvmju

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) February 16, 2026

“John McFarland, during his time with TuksRugby, always said, ‘defence wins you championships, while with attack you win games’. That’s very true,” Swartbooi remarked.

The coach was also full of praise for Smith’s role as captain.

“Dillon’s role as captain was crucial. As a player, he leads by example. When he speaks, the players listen,” he explained.

A definite highlight was the way in which Divan du Toit (flyhalf) and Tuks’ right wing, Andile Myeni, teamed up to score two tries. Du Toit sent Myeni over the goal line with two perfect kick passes.

It didn’t just happen. Swartbooi says that the team was busy with video analysis in the clubhouse last Thursday.

“At one point, I told the players to look at the team photo of the 2017 Tuks team that won the Varsity Cup. The Springbok flyhalf, Manie Libbok, was part of the team. I told the players that they could learn from him to express themselves on the field. I then mentioned to Divan that Manie had perfected the art of scoring tries for the Springboks with brilliant tactical kicking, but added that I didn’t “I don’t want to dictate to him what he should do. Be yourself on the field were my words to him,” he said.

According to Du Toit, he took his coach’s words to heart, especially because Libbok is one of his role models. Du Toit was named Player of the Match.

Apart from Tuks, Noordwes, Shimlas, and UJ, are the other teams that won with a bonus point on Monday. Next Monday Tuks will take on Shimlas in Bloemfontein. Kickoff is at 19:00.

🏉👏🏽🍾 Sensational response from the Stripe Generation. The bomb, the pick up, the hands and then that angle from Dillon Smith!

Champagne rugby from @TuksSport! #RugbyThatRocks #WhosNXT pic.twitter.com/qOmxUDdJGJ

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) February 16, 2026

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