NWU Eagles Begin Varsity Cup Title Defence with Strong Win Over Maties

The NWU Eagles commenced their Varsity Cup title defense in impressive fashion, securing a hard-fought victory against Maties at the iconic Danie Craven Stadium. The match, held in front of a passionate crowd, saw the Eagles dominate with their attacking prowess and resilient defense.

Aphelele Mdaka and Zinedine Robinson orchestrated the Eagles’ moves, displaying a dynamic playmaking duo that kept Maties on the back foot. The visitors executed their game plan with precision, showcasing their willingness to take risks and explore wide attacking channels.

Scoring two well-earned tries through Naiden Jaarts and Ezekiel Ngobeni, the Eagles displayed their intent early in the competition. The conversion and penalty kicks from Robinson and Charles Williams further solidified their lead, ultimately clinching a 20-12 victory.

In another Varsity Cup encounter, CUT demonstrated tenacious defense and capitalized on UJ‘s disciplinary lapses to secure a gritty 23-19 win in Bloemfontein. Juan Arnold Smith’s early penalties provided CUT with a crucial advantage, while Zachery Bester’s try set the tone for the home team.

Despite a second-half surge from UJ, with tries from Prince Nkabinde, Likhaya Tengimfene, and Marius Coetzee, CUT’s sturdy defense stood firm to maintain their unbeaten streak against UJ since 2019.

Meanwhile, Wits showcased a superb performance, outclassing the newcomers UWC with a dominant 66-10 victory at the UWC Sport Stadium. The visitors, led by Marno Grobbelaar and Kelvin Kanenungo, displayed clinical rugby, securing a comfortable lead by halftime.

Wits’ nine tries, including a brace from DeWet Fourie, exemplified their discipline and precision on the field. UWC’s solitary try by Louan De Lange was overshadowed by Wits’ comprehensive display, earning them a well-deserved bonus point.