At the Green Mile in Cape Town, Shimlas hooker PW van Vuuren, No 8 Fanie van der Walt and scrumhalves Kevin Luiters and Pieter Rademan secured the students from Free State a bonus-point win. Wing Nico Scheepers also added four conversions and three penalties.

UCT could only add two tries through fullback Dillyn Leyds and skipper Ntsolo Setlaba as they lost their first opening game since 2009.

Three-time champions Stellenbosch University recorded a 52-2 drubbing of TUT at home. Lock Grant Hattingh grabbed a hat-trick while tighthead prop Os Hamman finished the match with a brace. Outside centre Wessel Coetzee and reserve flyhalf Andre Smith completed the rout.

Tuks and Pukke also had a successful start to their season with impressive wins over last year’s log leaders UJ (23-8) and NMMU (26-16) respectively.

UCT 10 (5) – Tries: Dillyn Leyds, Ntsolo Setlaba.
Shimlas 38 (18) – Tries: PW van Vuuren, Fanie van der Walt, Kevin Luiters, Pieter Rademan. Conversions: Nico Scheepers (4). Penalties: Scheepers (3).

Maties 52 (26) – Tries: Wessel Coetzee, Grant Hattingh (3), Os Hamman (2), Andre Smith. Conversions: Andre Kemp (4), Donald Stevens. Penalty: Kemp.
TUT 2 (2) – Peanlty: Hansie Graaff

Tuks 23 (18) – Tries: Franco Mostert, Hayden Groepes, Jono Ross. Conversions: Wesley Dunlop (2). Penalty: Dunlop.
UJ 8 (0) – Try: JR Esterhuizen. Conversion: Guy Cronje.

NMMU 16 (8) – Tries: Jaco Swanepoel, Quinton Crocker. Conversions: Gerhard Swanepoel, Devon Lailvaux.
Pukke 26 (26) – Andrew van Wyk (2), SW Oosthuizen, Tiaan Dorfling. Conversions: Gerhard Nortier.

Wing Garth van Rayner steered the hosts to victory with his brace, while flank Onke Dubase, speedster Aziyena Mandaba and scrumhalf Sibabalwe Mtsulwana also scored tries. Flyhalf Banda Masixole added three conversions and a penalty to seal the bonus-point win.

No 8 Leon Stevens’ try kept Impis in the game at half-time as they trailed 16-8, but further scores from replacements Jaco Potgieter and Blake Lourens weren’t enough as Fort Hare delivered a strong second-half performance.

In other results, Wits ran in six tries as they thrashed UWC 43-20 in Johannesburg.

Fort Hare 36 (16) – Tries: Garth van Rayner (2), Onke Dubase, Aziyena Mandaba, Sibabalwe Mtsulwana. Conversions: Banda Masixole (3). Penalty: Masixole.
UKZN 21 (8) – Tries: Leon Stevens, Jaco Potgieter, Blake Lourens. Conversions: Carl Meyer, Potgieter.

Wits 43 (17) – Tries: Rinus Botha, Bronson Lange, Charles Baggott, Devin Montgomery, Riaan Arends, Sam Peters. Conversions: Kyle Peyper (3). Penalties: Peyper (2).
UWC 20 (2) – Tries: Njabulo Ndlovu, Maxwel Andrews, Cheslyn Roberts. Conversion: Ambrose Steyn. Penalty: Charl van Hollenhoven.

When it comes to the Varisty Cup, Stellenbosch University and the University of Cape Town are the only teams who have won silverware. Maties achieved a hat-trick of triumphs since the tournament’s inaugural run in 2008 while Ikeys earned their first crown last season when they came from behind to beat Tuks in an entertaining Pretoria final.

The two Cape universities are considered favourites again this season. However, that prediction seems flawed when you analyse the strength of all the current squads. Most of the other top universities have used a clever recruitment plan over the off-season and will provide a tougher title challenge.

2012 Varsity Cup analysis:

Ikeys
Ikeys did well to lift the cup in 2011. However, the massive blow ahead of their title defending campaign is the loss of players who have made a step up to provincial and Super Rugby level. Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, scrumhalf Nick Groom, centres Marcel Brache and Tim Whitehead and loose forwards Nizaam Carr and Siya Kolisi are just some of the names that were instrumental in their triumphant run last year – especially tournament top scorer Catrakilis. Although they have an experienced pack, it will be interesting to see how they cope with a new-look, young backline.

2011 log finish: 2nd, winners
Keo.co.za prediction: 4th

Tuks
Under former director of rugby Heyneke Meyer, the Bulls have used the Varsity Cup platform to blood some of their junior talent. Tuks have benefited from this, with the junior and up-and-coming Bulls boys adding much-needed strength to their team. Flanker and former Baby Bok captain Arno Botha was one of the top performers for Tuks last season, and expect players of a similar calibre to emerge in 2012.

2011 log finish: 4th, runners-up
Keo.co.za prediction: 2nd

UJ
UJ had a strong league run in 2011, but a 25-11 home semi-final loss to Tuks ended their dreams season early. UJ have retained most of their players heading into the new season and that continuity will help them. The addition of former Sharks junior flyhalf Guy Cronje will be a good replacement for new Maties pivot Andre Smith. However, you have to question if UJ have the overall quality that’s needed to go all the way.

2011 finish: 1st, losing semi-finalists
Keo.co.za prediction: 5th

Shimlas
Like Tuks, Shimlas have used the Cheetahs junior and fringe players to strengthen their team – and they look like a dangerous side this season. The emergence of Lappies Labuschagne, Nico Scheepers and Cameron Jacobs will give Shimlas some bite, and the Free State boys will be aiming for another top-four finish this year – something they are capable of.

2011 finish: 3rd, losing semi-finalists
Keo.co.za prediction: 3rd

Maties
It was a sad 2011 for Maties as they struggled with a squad that was hit by a player exodus. They failed to make the Varsity Cup play-offs for the first time, which was followed by disappointing domestic club and national club championship campaigns. But head coach Chean Roux has done a great job in rebuilding a competitive squad during the off-season. They’ve also used their WP reserves well, which will see Tertius Daniller, Helmut Lehmann and Sam Mabombo feature in one of the top loose trios in the competition.

2011 log finish: 5th
Keo.co.za prediction: 1st

Pukke
Pukke suffered a disappointing campaign last year as they finished in an all-time low of sixth place. Normally regular play-off contenders, the boys from Potch struggled against the top teams which cost former coach Rudy Joubert his job. Hannes Esterhuizen has taken over the reigns, but it will be too much to expect Pukke to bounce back into the top four this year.

2011 finish: 6th
Keo.co.za prediction: 6th

NMMU
They haven’t finished outside the bottom two, but there’s optimism that the boys from PE will do better this year. They’ve recruited several key players, which includes former KZN centres Quinton Crocker, Howard Mnisi and Devon Lailvaux. However, they are still considered the whipping boys of the competition, along with TUT, and they’ll do exceptionally well to finish mid-table.

2011 finish: 7th
Keo.co.za prediction: 7th

TUT
Like the Madibas, TUT have also struggled in the Varsity Cup over the years. The harsh reality is that they don’t have the same quality of players that the other teams have at their disposal. And while NMMU have employed a better recruitment policy, TUT have failed to draw any big names to their campus and are set for successive wooden-spoon finishes.

2011 finish: 8th
Keo.co.za prediction: 8th

The new scoring system will also make things interesting. With penalties and drop goals devalued to two points and conversions increased to three points, teams are encouraged to score tries. There are concerns that this change will see more penalties conceded, but the word from the Varsity Cup organizers is that referees will sin bin regular offenders.

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The defending champions were reduced to 14 men after No 8 Ruan Hugo was red carded, but they still went on to defeat Impis in Maritzburg. Hooker Baksteen van Heerden, wing Nico Steenkamp and skipper and flyhalf Inus Kritzinger capitalised on impressive CUT attacking play to seal the win.

Meanwhile, in Johannesburg, Wits crossed the chalk eight times to trash Fort Hare 58-16. Wits wing Riaan Arends grabbed a brace in the 42-point drubbing.

UKZN 10(5) - Tries: Leon Stevens, Hanno Botha.
CUT 30(18) – Tries: Baksteen van Heerden, Nico Steenkamp, Inus Kritzinger. Conversions: Jannie Myburgh (3). Penalties: Myburgh (2).

Wits 58(21) – Tries: Riaan Arends (2), Brent Crossley, Devin Montgomery, Charles Baggott, Olivier Rochat, Ruan Noeth, Heinke Hartdegen. Conversions: Kyle Peyper (6).
Fort Hare 16(8) - Tries: Garth van Rayner (2). Conversions: Teboho Makuru (2).

Defending champions CUT came back from an early 12-0 deficit to triumph in Bloemfontein over last year’s runners-up Wits as they scored three tries. Captain and flyhalf Inus Kritzinger, scrumhalf Stephen Griesel and reserve prop Danie van der Merwe crossed the chalk for the victors.

Wits were in the game at half-time (trailing 13-12), thanks largely to inside centre Ryan Odendaal’s try, but they couldn’t score any points in the second stanza as CUT impressed on defence and closed off the contest.

Meanwhile, in Alice, UWC wing Cheslyn Robert scored a hat-trick of tries to give his team a 23-point win over hosts Fort Hare.

CUT 25(13) - Tries: Inus Kritzinger, Stephen Griesel, Danie van der Merwe. Conversions: Jannie Myburgh (2). Penalty: Myburgh.
Wits 12(12) - Try: Ryan Odendaal. Conversion: Kyle Peyper. Penalties: Peyper (2)

Fort Hare 13(8) - Tries: Abongile Dlani, Sihle Mtwa. Conversion: Teboho Makuru.
UWC 36(16) – Tries: Cheslyn Roberts (3), Penalty Try. Conversions: Charl van Vollenhoven (2), Warrick Rhoda (2). Penalties: Van Vollenhoven, Rhoda.

Conversions will be worth three points and penalties and drop-goals will be worth just two points in the 2012 competition. The organisers have received the backing of the IRB, and hope that the changes will result in more tries and ultimately a more free-flowing brand of rugby.

South African Referees Manager André Watson has also endorsed the move, although he admits there are no guarantees that it will have the desired effect.

‘We have a great relationship with the Varsity Cup when it comes to trialing and experimenting with good ideas,’ said Watson, ‘but, as usual, this trial involves plenty of hard work. We will be keeping dedicated statistics and monitor the results as the tournament goes along.

‘There is a possibility that we could pay a price somewhere along the line in a bid to create more tries, but we will be having a briefing with the various Varsity Cup Rugby coaches and referees in late January and we will have to upskill everyone and we aware of the potential pitfalls.

‘The key, however, is that you’ll never know something until you try it. One would think this experiment would definitely lead to more tries… but you’d also imagine that a few more penalties will be conceded on purpose… the exciting part is that we’ll soon see for ourselves how this works out.’

The 2012 Varsity Cup and Varsity Shield competitions start on 30 January.

UCT shot out of the gates, scoring in the first minute after stealing a Tuks lineout feed and shifting the ball wide to No 8 Greg Mallett. Demetri Catrakilis added the extras, but that was as good as it got for the Capetonians in the first half.

Tuks’ intensity, power and accuracy in the collisions was impressive, and their work at the breakdown rabid. That stifled UCT’s ability to play the expansive game they are renowned for, and their unwillingness to shift to a more pragmatic approach cost them initially.

Tuks conversely seemed to have found their attacking groove after a slow start, flyhalf Wesley Dunlop sinking two penalties before centre Jean du Plessis rounded off a move that featured efficient phase play. Dunlop banked the conversion and later a penalty, before Catrakilis made it a six point deficit (16-10) going down the tunnel.

Tuks had bossed the facets of play that mattered up to that point, with UCT having a limited rebuttal to their brutal gain line assault and set piece superiority. A rebound looked unlikely at that stage, but the visitors showed a greater appreciation for building a platform and profited as a result. Two Catrakilis penalties got them level with 25 minutes to play and with that came a patent shift in momentum.

Tuks’ defensive resolve was steadily eroded by their determined opponents, and when UCT hooker Matthew Page finished off a move that featured multiple phases, you sensed Tuks’ resistance had been depleted. Catrakilis continued his flawless kicking performance with the conversion and a fourth penalty to establish a 10 point lead.

The hosts finished strongly, but UCT’s defensive effort was immense, tackling desperately through a plethora of phases for six minutes to hold on for a deserved victory.

The match-winning score came after TUT had missed a long-range penalty. CUT ran it back, getting as far as the 22 before losing possession. TUT had one last crack and a massive gap opened up for wing Ruan van Loo, who raced through for his hat-trick try.

The teams had been locked at 36-36 after 80 minutes and there would have been a kick-off (similar to a penalty shootout in soccer) had TUT not struck in the 100th minute.

In the end, the Pretoria side were worthy winners, having scored eight tries to four.

Wing Alec Mhlanga starred for the second-tier champions in a scrappy affair as he scored either side of half time to grab a brace. Outside centre Jaco Oosthuizen crossed the chalk in the first stanza while fullback Andre le Roux kicked 10 points via two conversions and two penalties in the seven-point victory.

Wits, who struggled to cope with CUT’s pace and physicality for most parts of the match, kept within in reach through tries from lock Charles Baggot and wing Riaan Arends. Wits managed to create several opportunities at the death to level the scores, including wing Nkuli Gamede’s great break from the midfield into CUT’s red zone in the final minute which created an exciting finish, but they couldn’t reach the try line as the visitors managed to hold on for the win.

The victory will see CUT face off against TUT (the bottom-placed team in this season’s Varsity Cup) in a promotion/relegation play-off, which is scheduled as one of the two curtain raisers for the Varsity Cup final between Tuks and Ikeys next Monday.

Ikeys thrashed Shimlas 57-20 in Cape Town while Tuks recorded a 25-11 upset against tournament favourites UJ in Johannesburg to setup an interesting final to be played on 12 April. UCT, who finished second on the log behind UJ, are supposed to host the final but because the Green Mile doesn’t have the necessary lighting for the 7pm-scheduled game, the Varsity Cup decider will be moved to Pretoria.

In the first semi-final, outside centre Therlow Pietersen and wing Pete Haw starred for UCT as they scored hat-tricks in their team’s massive victory over Free State University. Fullback Ricky Rijs and replacement back Marcel Brache also crossed the chalk to seal the comprehensive victory.

The hosts ran in six of these tries in the first half as they built a commanding 45-3 lead at the break. Shimlas delivered a better second half performance as wings Jamba Ulengo and Cameron Jacobs, and reserve back Charles Marais dotted down, but this only added respectability to the score as UCT closed out the game with two more tries.

In Johannesburg, skipper and flyhalf Wesley Dunlop played a key part in Tuks’ victory as he scored 15 points against UJ via a try, two conversions and two penalties. Man of the Match Andries Coetzee grabbed a double with five-pointers coming either side of half-time in the physical affair.

Coetzee and Dunlop touched down in the first stanza to build a 14-6 advantage at half-time. UJ fullback Theuns Kotze kicked a penalty and drop goal to keep his team within reach. However, Coetzee’s second try and Dunlop’s boot secured the visitors a big away win as UJ couldn’t catch up.

Varsity Cup semi-finals results:

Ikeys 57(45) – Tries: Therlow Pietersen (3), Pete Haw (3), Ricky Rijs, Marcel Brache. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (7). Penalties: Catrakilis.
Shimlas 20(3) – Tries: Jamba Ulengo, Charles Marais, Cameron Jacobs. Conversions: George Whitehead. Penalties: Whitehead.

UJ 11 (6) - Tries: Snyman. Penalties: Theuns Kotze. Drop Goals: Kotze.
Tuks 25 (14) - Tries: Andries Coetzee (2), Wesley Dunlop. Conversions: Dunlop (2). Penalties: Dunlop (2).

The loss in Pietermaritzburg sees CUT finish second on the log, which gifts Wits a home final in Johannesburg to be played on 5 March. The winner of the play-off will face TUT in the Varsity Cup promotion/relegation play-off.

In the last round robin game at the Peter Booysen Stadium, fullback Andre le Roux’s penalty was the difference at the break as his penalty edged CUT into a 10-7 lead. The tight affair continued in the second stanza but it was UKZN who managed to clinch the win that secured them a league double over the tournament favourites.

Meanwhile, in Bellville, UWC finished their campaign with a 26-12 win over Fort Hare, who finish last in the standings.

Fullback Ayanda Mateisi kicked four penalties in the first half to put Fort Hare ahead at the break, but UWC finished the game well as they ran in three tries through centre Adrian Herman (2) and wing Anthony Volminck to down the team from the Eastern Cape.

Varsity Shield Round 10 results:

UKZN 24(7) – Tries: Gerrit Fourie, Gareth Borchardt, Sizwe Kubheka. Conversions: Jaco Potgieter (3). Penalties: Potgieter.
CUT 22(10) – Tries: Francois Harvey (2), Jaco Oosthuizen. Conversions: Andre le Roux (2). Penalties: Le Roux.

UWC 26(9) – Tries: Adrian Herman (2), Anthony Volminck. Conversions: Charl van Vollenhoven. Penalties: Van Vollenhoven (3).
Fort Hare 12(12) – Penalties: Ayanda Mateisi (4)

UJ delivered a great performance in Stellenbosch to knock out the three-time champions out of the running for the 2011 title. On attack, they exposed the hosts early on and they completed their impressive all-round performance with a robust defence which restricted the usually lethal Maties offence.

The team from Johannesburg started off strongly as they scored three tries through wing Lolo Waka, scrumhalf Rudy Paige and centre Luan Steenkamp to take a 15-0 lead in the 29th minute. Maties hit back via centre Stokkies Hanekom as they trailed 15-7 at half time.

The hosts then scored an early try through lock Hugo Kloppers for a perfect beginning to the second stanza but UJ built a commanding lead as Waka grabbed a double and flyhalf André Smith converted a drop goal. UJ showed an imposing defensive display at the death to restrict Maties while the latter were errant on attack with handling errors a major problem.

Maties eventually broke through as replacement centre Jacobus Jordaan crashed over, but by then it was too late as there were only four minutes left of the clock. Thousands of the disappointed home fans were seen streaming out of Danie Craven stadium as UJ completed the emphatic win with another try by replacement hooker George Ries. Smith added the extras for the last action of the game.

In Pretoria, Ikeys edged Tuks 19-17 in a tight encounter. The win secures UCT a home semi-final in Cape Town while Tuks still manage to qualify for the play-offs despite the defeat.

It was a one-point game at half time with Tuks leading 7-6 as fullback Andries Coetzee dived in at the corner. UCT flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kept his team in the game with two penalties. The visitors then sealed the win as centre Marcel Brache scored a try and Castrakilis slotted the conversion and two more penalties for the crucial win.

Shimlas sneaked into the semi-finals with a 17-13 comeback victory over NMMU in Port Elizabeth.

NMMU were 3-0 up at the break and stretched their lead to 13-0 early in the second stanza as flyhalf Marius Muller scored all their points through a try, conversion and two penalties. However, the visitors put together a 17-point blitz as replacement scrumhalf Daniel Ackers and flanker Willie Britz crossed the chalk while fullback George Whitehead kicked seven points with the boot to sink the Madibas.

Pukke ended their disappointing campaign on a positive note as they thumped TUT 48-0 in Pretoria.

Pukke ran riot as they scored eight tries in their comprehensive victory and they delivered an impressive defensive display to keep the hosts scoreless. The heavy loss sees TUT finish last on the log and they will face the Varsity Shield champions (CUT or Wits) in the promotion/relegation play-off.

Varsity Cup, Round 7 results:
Maties 19(7) - Tries: Hugo Kloppers, Jacobus Jordaan, Stokkies Hanekom. Conversions: Donald Stevens (2).
UJ 39(15) -Tries: Aubrey McDonald, George Ries, Lolo Waka, Luan Steenkamp, Rudy Paige. Conversions: André Smith. Drop Goals: Smith.

Tuks 17(7) - Tries: Hayden Groepes, Dabeon Draghoender, Andries Coetzee. Conversions: Wesley Dunlop.
UCT 19(6) - Tries: Marcel Brache. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis. Penalties: Catrakilis (4).

NMMU 13(3) – Tries: Marius Muller. Conversions: Muller. Penalties: Muller (2).
Shimlas 17(0) – Tries: Daniel Acker, Willie Britz. Conversions: George Whitehead (2). Penalties: Whitehead.

TUT 0(0)
Pukke 48(31) – Tries: Andrew van Wyk (2), Tiaan Dorfling (2), Alfred Skorbinski, JC Oberholzer, Chris Schoonraad, Joe Seerane, Conversions: Cecil Dumond (3), Schalk Oosthuizen.

Varsity Cup semi-finals (28 March):
UJ vs Tuks, Johannesburg.
Ikeys vs Shimlas, Cape Town.

The away victory sees Wits jump to the top of the standings but CUT could still book a home final if they win their last fixture against UKZN in Pietermaritzburg next week. However, winning in Bloemfontein will give Wits the mental advantage heading into the match that will decide who will take on TUT in the Varsity Cup promotion/relegation play-off.

It was CUT who were up at the break as fullback Andre le Roux kicked four penalties for a 12-8 advantage. The lead jumped several times in the second stanza but the visitors sealed the game as inside centre Rudolf Prinsloo slotted a penalty and wing Riaan Arends dotted down at the death.

In Alice, Fort Hare picked up their second win of the campaign as they beat Impis at home.

The hosts took the lead as lock Sokhana Mkona crossed the chalk and flyhalf Saneliso Ngoma converted a penalty. However, fullback Jaco Potgieter put UKZN 13-8 ahead as he scored a try and added the conversion and two penalties. Fort Hare scored two more tries in the second stanza to seal the game.

Varsity Shield, Round 9 results:
CUT 22
Wits 26

Fort Hare 28
UKZN 22

UJ jumped to the top spot on the table as they recorded a 34-22 bonus-point victory over Ikeys in Cape Town. A strong second half showing saw the visitors build a commanding lead and they managed to restrict UCT at the death for an impressive win.

The hosts led 10-7 at half time thanks to an early try by fullback Therlow Pietersen and the boot of Demetri Catrakilis. Skipper Justin Wheeler kept UJ within reach at the break.

Then UJ dominated. They scored three tries in the second stanza through fullback Aubrey McDonald, flyhalf Theuns Kotze and flanker Wendal Wehr. Ikeys hit back through two tries of their own as replacement back Mark Winter and wing Paul Cohen dotted down but UJ held on for the crucial win. The defeat sees UCT plummet to fourth spot after their second consecutive defeat.

In Pretoria, Tuks achieved the biggest result of the round as they triumphed 27-13 against defending champions Maties.

Despite receiving two yellow cards in quick succession and conceding a penalty try when down to 13 men in the first half, Tuks clawed their way back into the game as flyhalf Wesley Dunlop was impressive with the boot and lock Franco Mostert scored a late try to seal the win.

In Potchefstroom, Pukke opened their account with a 57-6 thrashing of the Madibas. Skipper Logtoring Landman and fullback Schalk Oosthuizen starred for the hosts as they both grabbed doubles as Pukke crossed the chalk nine times. After picking up their first win last week, NMMU could only scored two penalties in the first half through flyhalf Martin Muller.

Shimlas got their semi-final ambitions back on track with a resounding 52-26 win over TUT in Pretoria.

The Free State University ran riot as they rounded up eight tries, with speedster Jamba Ulengo the star of the night with his two tries. The hosts managed a consolation bonus point as they scored four tries of their own.

Varsity Cup, Round Six results:
UCT 22(10) – Tries: Mark Winter, Paul Cohen, Therlow Pietersen. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis. Penalties: Catrakilis.
UJ 34(7) – Tries: Aubrey McDonald, Justin Wheeler, Theuns Kotze, Wendal Wehr. Conversions: Kotze (4). Penalties: Kotze. Drop Goal: André Smith

Tuks 27(17) – Tries: Deon Helberg, Franco Mostert. Conversions: Wesley Dunlop. Penalties: Dunlop (5).
Maties 13(10) – Tries: Penalty Try. Conversions: Donald Stevens. Penalties: Stevens.

Pukke 57(31) – Tries: Cecil Dumond, Philip de Wet, Penalty try, Ligtoring Landman (2), Schalk Oosthuizen (2), Tiaan Dorfling, Snoepie Coetzee.
Cons: Dumond (6).
NMMU 6(6) – Penalties: Martin Muller (2).

TUT 26(5) – Tries: Hansie Graaff, Reyno Lopes, Ruan van Loo, Tinus van Wyk. Conversions: Ruan Boshoff (3).
Shimlas 52(26) – Tries: Daniel Acker, Earl-Jivan Snyman, Hendrik Colyn, Jamba Ulengo (2), Jan van Wyk, Pieter Labuschagne, Willie Britz. Conversions: George Whitehead (6).

With two rounds remaining, the two teams have built a gap too big at the top of the log. All that’s left to play for is a home final as CUT only lead Wits by two log points on the standings. The former is likely to claim first place and host the final in Bloemfontein as they have a game in hand. The play-off will be played in three weeks time.

CUT confirmed their final berth with a tight 30-29 home win over UWC.

After leading 24-12 at the break, UWC fought back to make it 30-29 at the death as centre Adrian Herman and wing Anthony Volminck dotted down and fullback Ambrose Steyn slotted a 60m drop goal. This created an intense finish to the match and it seemed the visitors snatched a great comeback victory as they crossed the chalk in the dying seconds, but the referee disallowed the try as penalised UWC for obstruction.

Wits booked their place in the top two as they crushed UKZN 51-5 in a bonus-point triumph in Johannesburg.

The hosts ran in seven tries with No 8 Jason Fraser and wing Nkuli Gamede grabbing a brace each while centre Brendon Lizamore added 16 points with the boot via five conversions and two penalties. UKZN Lock Tinashe Bopoto managed to score Impis’ only points at the death.

CUT 30(24)
UWC 29(12)

Wits 51(29)
UKZN 5(0)

Ikeys haven’t managed to beat Cape rivals Maties since 2008 and their drought against the defending champions continued as they were well beaten at the Green Mile in front of a crowd of 5036. Maties boasted a more physical defence and breakdown contest, a challenge the Ikeys weren’t able to handle.

This provided the visitors with an attacking platform, which saw them run in three tries through wing Tythan Adams (2) and flanker Helmut Lehman for a 24-9 half-time lead. Flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kept UCT in the game with two penalties and a drop goal.

However, the hosts weren’t able to gain the ascendancy needed in the second half as they only managed to cross the whitewash once through fullback Ricky Rijs. Outside centre Stokkies Hanekom sealed a convincing bonus-point win for Maties as he scored their fourth try in the final minute of play. The victory sees Stellenbosch University top the Varsity Cup standings with three rounds left before the play-offs.

UJ missed their opportunity to extend their unbeaten run as they lost 38-24 against Tuks in Johannesburg.

No 8 Arno Botha starred for the visitors as he grabbed a double while fullback Andries Coetzee and flanker Warwick Tecklenburg completed the bonus-point triumph for the visitors.

Pukke continued their poor form as they suffered their fifth successive defeat against Shimlas in 37-28 loss in Bloemfontein.

The visitors led 17-13 at the break as lock Rynard Landman, centre Wouter Watermeyer and hooker Johan Oberholzer scored tries. But they failed to convert their half-time advantage as Shimlas wing Jamba Ulengo and lock Wilken Heyns completed their braces in the closing stages to keep Pukke winless.

NMMU picked up their first win since 2009 as they produced an impressive second half performance to down TUT 40-15 in Port Elizabeth. The hosts ran in four tries and also kept TUT tryless as flyhalf Ruan Boshoff only slotted five penalties for the visitors.

Results, Round 5:
Ikeys 16(9) – Tries: Ricky Rijs. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis. Penalties: Catrakilis (2). Drop Goals: Catrakilis.
Maties 37(24) – Tries: Tythan Adams (2), Helmut Lehman, Stokkies Hanekom. Conversions: Donald Stevens (2), Andre Kemp (2). Penalties: Stevens (2).

Shimlas 37(13) – Tries: Jamba Ulengo (2), Wilken Heyns (2), Zandre De Bruin. Conversions: Shaun Davids (3). Penalties: Davids (2).
Pukke 28(17) – Tries: Johan Oberholzer, Philip de Wet, Rynard Landman, Wouter Watermeyer. Conversions: Cecil Dumond. Penalties: Dumond (2).

UJ 23(11) – Tries: Aubrey McDonald, Lolo Waka, Justin Wheeler. Conversions: Theuns Kotze. Penalties: Kotze (2).
Tuks 38(10) – Tries: Andries Coetzee, Warwick Tecklenburg, Arno Botha (2). Conversions: Wesley Dunlop (3). Penalties: Dunlop (4).

NMMU 40(9) – Tries: Jeff Taljard, Juan du Preez, Marius Muller, Martin Ferreira. Conversions: Muller (4). Penalties: Muller (4).
TUT 15(12) – Penalties: Ruan Boshoff (5).

CUT rebounded from their shock 39-38 defeat against UKZN as they triumphed in Alice. However, it wasn’t an easy task for the Bloemfontein-based university as Fort Hare were within touch at the break as the half-time score read 18-11.

The tight affair continued in the second stanza, this time Fort Hare led 24-1 . However, two late tries from replacement hooker Deon Gouws and wing Alec Mhlanga sealed the win a the death for the visitors.

UWC kept their play-off ambitions alive as they beat Wits in Bellville.

UWC held the ascendancy in the first half and crossed the white was through captain Juan Paul Kellerman while fullback Ambrose Steyn kicked a conversion and three penalties for a 16-3 lead at the break.

Wits managed to restrict the hosts from the try line in the second stanza, but they couldn’t take advantage of their impressive defence as they only scored eight points through a wing Nkuli Gamede try and centre Brendon Lizamore penalty.

Results, Round 6:

Fort Hare 24(11) – Tries: Billy Dutton, Vuyo Mboto. Conversions: Qondani Katywa. Penalties: Katywa (4).
CUT 30(18) – Tries: Gavin Annandale, Inus Kritzinger, Deon Gouws, Alec Mhlanga. Conversions: Jannie Myburgh (2). Penalties: Myburgh (2).

UWC 19(16) – Tries: Juan Paul Kellerman. Conversions: Ambrose Steyn. Penalties: Steyn (4).
Wits 11(3) – Tries: Nkuli Gamede. Penalties: Brendon Lizamore (2).

Ikeys stretched their winning streak to four games with an impressive win over TUT in Cape Town. Depsite being reduced to 14 men as flanker Nizaam Carr received a red card early in the second half, UCT still dominated as they scored five tries in their second bonus-point win of the campaign. Ikeys are now two log points clear at the top.

Outside centre Therlow Pietersen, fullback Ricky Rijs, replacement prop Francois van Wyk, replacement lock Pallo Manuel and replacement centre Nick Holton crossed the whitewash for the hosts while flyhalf Ruan Boshoff scored all of TUT’s points via a try, conversion and three penalties.

Maties dominated in Stellenbosch as they crushed NMMU 49-17. Despite the windy conditions, the defending champions ran in seven tries for the easy victory, with wing Ryan Nell and captain Callie Visagie grabbing a brace each.

UJ also kept their unbeaten record as they edged Pukke 20-16 in Johannesburg. With the sides deadlocked 8-8 at the break, flyhalf Theuns Kotze sealed the win for the home side with four penalties in the second stanza. Pukke remain winless with the defeat, but move ahead of the Madibas on the log with a better points difference.

In Bloemfontein, Shimlas held on for a 20-15 win over Tuks. The visitors managed to keep the hosts scoreless after the break but they couldn’t take advantage as they only added 10 points to their tally for a consolation losing bonus point.

Varsity Cup, Round 4 results:

UCT 45(26) – Tries: Therlow Pietersen, Ricky Rijs, Francois van Wyk, Pallo Manuel, Nick Holton. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (4). Penalties: Catrakilis (4).
TUT 16(7) Tries: Ruan Boshoff. Conversions: Boshoff. Penalties: Boshoff (3).

Maties 49(23) Tries: Callie Visagie (2), Ryan Nell (2), Donald Stevens, Ruan Combrinck, Stokkies Hanekom. Conversions: Stevens, Combrinck, Jarryd Buys (2). Penalties: Stevens (2).
NMMU 17(10) Tries: Louis Fourie, Makholokoe Ramashala. Conversions: Bradley Kretzmann, Shannon Rick. Penalties: Kretzmann.

UJ 20(8) - Tries: Aubrey McDonald. Penalties: Theuns Kotze.
Pukke 16(8) - Tries: Willem Barnard, Philip de Wet. Penalties: Cecil Dumond

Shimlas 20(20) - Tries: Hanno Pieterse, Charl Weideman. Conversions: Shaun Davids (2). Penalties: Davids (2).
Tuks 15(5) - Tries: Wesley Dunlop, Jurgen Visser. Conversions: Dunlop. Penalties: Visser.

In Johannesburg, Wits started strongly, surging into a 19-0 lead against a 14-man Fort Hare as flyhalf Qondani Katywa was sent to the sin bin in the first stanza. With their one-man advantage, they grabbed three tries through wings Riaan Arends (2) and Nkuli Gamede.

However, Fort Hare fought back to make it 19-13 as flank Nkosikhona Nofuma scored before the break and Katywa slotted two penalties after the restart. The visitors continued to build momentum thereafter, but they couldn’t managed to add to their tally. Centre Brendan Lizamore eventually sealed the game with a late penalty. The victory sees Wits jump CUT into first place on the log, but the latter still have a game in hand.

In Pietermaritzburg, UWC shocked an in-form UKZN (who won their last two matches) at home.

The hosts lead at half-time as No 8 Leon Stevens helped his team to a 10-3 lead. UWC then rallied to victory in the second stanza as hooker Charlie van Jaarsveld, flanker Lwandile Makibi and replacment lock Griffith Temba scored tries. Impis claimed a consolation five-pointer via second rower Tinashe Bopoto.

Varsity Shield, Round 6 results:

Wits 22(19) – Tries: Riaan Arends (2), Nkuli Gamede. Conversions: Brendan Lizamore (2). Penalties: Lizamore.
Fort Hare 13(7) – Tries: Nkosikhona Nofuma. Conversions: Qondani Katywa, Penalties: Katywa (2).

UKZN 15(10) – Tries: Leon Stevens. Conversions: Jaco Potgieter. Penalties: Potgieter.
UWC 24(3) – Tries: Charlie van Jaarsveld, Lwandile Makibi, Griffith Temba. Conversions: Ambrose Steyn (3). Penalties: Steyn.

UCT continued their impressive form as they picked up their third consecutive win against the Madibas in Cape Town.

Ikeys dominated proceedings as they crossed the whitewash seven times through replacement flanker Alexander Macdonald, lock Eben Etzebeth, replacement prop Francois van Wyk, scrumhalf Nic Groom, fullback Richard Rijs and outside centre Therlow Pietersen while flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis kicked 16 points to secure the biggest win of the round.

Flanker Ferdinand Gerber and scrumhalf Shannon Rick scored consolation tries for NMMU.

In Johannesburg, UJ kept their unbeaten status as they overturned a 17-9 half-time deficit to beat Shimlas 28-24.

The visitors were impressive on attack, which saw them score two tries through wing Cameron Jacobs and scrumhalf Daniel Acker for the lead at the break. Flyhalf Theuns Kotze kicked the UJ’s points in the first half.

But the hosts delivered a spirited performance in the second stanza as replacement hooker Francois du Toit, wing Lolo Waka and replacement prop Ruan Dreyer crossed the chalk to seal a great comeback victory.

After their shock defeat to Shimlas last week, defending champions Maties got their campaign back on track with a 44-12 drubbing of TUT in Pretoria.

The hosts were within reach at half-time as they only trailed 15-7 at the break. However, the visitors ran riot in the second half as they scored four tries to comprehensive victory. Speedster Tythan Adams starred for Maties as he grabbed a second-half brace while scrumhalf Donald Stevens contributed 17 points through a try, three conversions and two penalties.

Pukke’s disastrous start to the 2011 campaign worsened as they suffered a 35-10 loss to Tuks in Potchefstroom.

Scrumhalf Daniel Faasen grabbed a brace while No 8 Arno Botha, wing Hayden Groepes and fullback Jurgen Visser scored a try each to hand Pukke their third successive defeat.

Varsity Cup, Round 3 results:

TUT 12 (7) - Tries: Hansie Graaff, JJ Breet. Conversions: Ruan Boshoff.
Maties 44 (15) - Tries: Donald Stevens, Ryan Nell, Tertius Daniller, Tythan Adams (2), Penalty Try. Conversions: Stevens (3), Andre Kemp. Penalties: Stevens (2).

UJ 28(9) – Tries: Francois du Toit, Lolo Waka, Ruan Dreyer. Conversions: Theuns Kotze (2). Penalties: Kotze (2). Drop Goal: Kotze.
Shimlas 24(17) – Tries: Cameron Jacobs, Daniel Acker, Zandre de Bruin. Conversions: Shaun Davids (3). Penalties: Davids (2).

Pukke 10(3) – Tries: Cecil Dumond. Conversions: Dumond. Penalties: Johan Laker.
Tuks 35(25) – Tries: Arno Botha, Daniel Faasen (2), Hayden Groepes, Jurgen Visser. Conversions: Wesely Dunlop (2). Penalties: Dunlop (2).

UCT 49 (27) – Tries: Alexander Macdonald, Eben Etzebeth, Francois van Wyk, Nic Groom, Richard Rijs, Therlow Pietersen. Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis (5). Penalties: Catrakilis (2).
NMMU 12(5) – Tries: Ferdinand Gerber, Shannon Rick. Conversions: Martin Muller.