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17 Apr 2023
NWU EAGLES ARE VARSITY CUP CHAMPIONS!
The North-West University Eagles needed the entirety of the second half to quell a spirited University of Cape Town Ikeys fightback to win 27-25 and claim their second Varsity Cup title on a chilly Monday evening.
The hosts led 20-9 at half-time in front of their hostile and fervent home crowed and looked the stronger side, but were gradually reeled in by the visitors, who only had themselves to blame for one of the most profligate showings in a playoff game.
They botched at least five clear try-scoring chances in the second half that would have put distance between them and the Eagles.
The Ikeys' inability to bury the game allowed the hosts to bury the ghosts of the 2014 final where they allowed the Ikeys to score three late tries to win 39-33.
- Khanyiso Tshwaku
17 Apr 2023
GAME OVER!
NWU are 2023 Varsity Cup Champions!
NWU 27-25 UCT
That was an incredible game of fast-paced, physical and passionate rugby!
The crowd at Fanie du Toit Sports Ground goes crazy.
Credit to the players for leaving absolutely everything out there tonight. There are bodies left lying all over the turf.
UCT gave this a real crack and took it to the wire, but NWU were never going to give this up and with the help of their home crowd, they have landed the title.
In the end, NWU scored four tries to two from their opposition.
What a game!
17 Apr 2023
1 minute to go ...
UCT have a scrum inside their own half and will need something special from here.
17 Apr 2023
UCT lose the ball forward and the crowd, and the NWU players, celebrate like they have just won the World Cup! That's how much it means!
Still 2 minutes to go ...
17 Apr 2023
The crowd is now belting out Queen's 'Bohemian Rhapsody' ...
Strange choice of song when your side is 5 minutes away from Varsity Cup glory!
Varsity Cup, I guess ...
NWU 27-25 UCT
17 Apr 2023
The try stands and the conversion is good!
NWU 27-25 UCT
We are set for a nail-biter!
8 minutes remain ...
17 Apr 2023
TRY UCT!
That is well deserved! UCT had been attacking the NWU line for what seemed like an age!
Eventually, it's Van der Walt who goes over!
Wait ...
NWU are challenging with a white card and want to see if the ball went in straight at the lineout!
17 Apr 2023
It's SO tense! UCT are bashing away at the NWU ling and they are almost there!
But then, there is a small knock-on and NWU survive!
The hosts lead 27-18 and UCT are running out of time ...
17 Apr 2023
TRY NWU!
That is an incredible effort! Wow!
That has started from deep inside the NWU half and it is a counter-attack of EPIC proportions! There was a TMO 'white card' referral, but it stands!
NWU 27-18 UCT
17 Apr 2023
TRY UCT!
And that's a 7-pointer! That's 23 phases that started behind their own line!
The conversion is good and the crowd is silenced! Reynhardt Crous goes over and the crowd is silenced!
NWU 20-18 UCT
17 Apr 2023
HALF-TIME
NWU 20-9 UCT
It's been frantic, but NWU have been full of energy in everything they have done.
They have scored three unanswered tries while UCT have three penalties to show for their efforts.
There is still a lot of time left, but it will take a mammoth effort for UCT - away from home - to turn this around.
The crowd has been incredible and are operating as a 16th player for NWU, without doubt.
17 Apr 2023
TRY NWU!
Only one side in this at the moment!
Another sustained period of NWU attack, and they're hitting every tackle and ruck with SO much energy and intent.
This time, it's Santino Swanepoel, who snipes around the blind side to score.
Conversion lands.
NWU 20-9 UCT
17 Apr 2023
TRY NWU!
It's hooker Vernon Paulo again! This Eagles pack certainly has some power!
Conversion wide again, but NWU hit the front.
NWU 13-9 UCT
17 Apr 2023
Strong attack from NWU has UCT on the ropes, and the referee has given the visitors a final warning.
We're 32 minutes in, and this one is tight!
17 Apr 2023
PENALTY UCT!
Nice, strong attack that from UCT with some neat skills from hooker Keagan Blanckenberg. NWU, scrambling, are offside.
Makhaza lands his third penalty.
NWU 8-9 UCT
17 Apr 2023
PENALTY UCT!
Tensions are high here, so there are a lot of penalties being given away. Ntokoza Makhaza makes no mistake from the tee, landing his second of the night.
NWU 8-6 UCT
17 Apr 2023
PENALTY NWU!
Valuable points, these! Zinedine Robinson makes no mistake with the kick.
NWU 8-3 UCT
17 Apr 2023
The atmosphere at this stadium is electric!
Every pass and tackle is being greeted with a deafening roar ...
17 Apr 2023
TRY NWU EAGLES!
Incredible! The UCT scrumhalf has cleared from his own goal-line, but kicked it straight into his team-mate's back!
The ball is loose, and NWU's hooker gathers and scorers!
The conversion is wide, but what a bonus that is for NWU!
NWU 5-3 UCT
17 Apr 2023
Kick-off!
We've had a helicopter landing on the halfway line, in spectacular fashion, delivering the tournament trophy.
Then we had a motorbike dropping off the match ball.
And, finally, we have rugby ...
17 Apr 2023
17 Apr 2023
