Wits got off to a flying start in Johannesburg on Monday night to beat Tuks and send the defending Varsity Cup champions into relegation.
Leading 19-7 at half-time, the hosts survived a late fightback for a 33-21 victory as they boosted their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Tuks came into the match knowing that a loss would send them into the Varsity Shield next season.
Bad start
They couldn’t have asked for a worse start as Wits scored three unanswered tries through Setshaba Mokoena, Wian De Lange and Lindo Ncusane with the forwards providing the muscle up front while the backs brought the razzle to Wits Stadium.
The visitors finally completed some phases and got on the scoreboard through winger Bayanda Ngubane at the break with a lot of work to do.
A surprise victory for UJ over Maties, which ended as the second round started at Wits Stadium, means that Tuks must come back and win with a bonus-point try to have hope of relegation.
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Their fate looked sealed when Wits lock Henk Gouws crashed over the line as the men from Pretoria began to run out of time.
However, Tuks bounced back through No 8 Divan Venter and Zander Reynders’ point try to bring home the final five points in the final quarter.
Prop Banele Mthenjane then broke Tuks’ hearts when he managed to score and secure a hard-fought victory.
This story first appeared on sarugbymag.co.za. It is republished here with permission. For the original story, click here.