By beating Madibaz on Friday, Tuks achieved their first goal: to be back playing in the Varsity Cup Tournament next year.
Tuks retained their unbeaten streak in the Varsity Shield with a 66-24 victory against Madibaz. In the semifinals on Friday, Tuks will face off against Walter Sisulu University. The game will again be played at Tuks.
As has become a norm throughout the tournament, the Tuks captain, Ethan Burger, led from the front, being in the midst of the action at all times. He gained metres with the ball in hand and made big hits. His heroics led to him scoring two tries to take his tally for the tournament to seven. He justly got the Player That Rock award.
However, Burger does not believe there to be an “I” when spelling team.
“I was impressed with every single individual that played. There weren’t any spectacular individual efforts, but it was a fantastic team win. We showed character against Madibaz.
“We got off to a bit of a shaky start. We scored two quick tries, but we very quickly let them back in the game when they got a penalty try from the maul. Edwin Till got yellow-carded. That put us under lots of pressure. What impressed me was how the team pulled together. It allowed us to take back control of the game. We played the game at our tempo and on our terms, which got us over the line. Our results prove that long, hard hours do pay off. One of our goals was to get promoted back into the Varsity Cup, and we did.”
Till, who plays hooker, said while sitting in the sin bin, it felt like he had let the team down.
“I promised myself when I got back onto the field that I owe it to my teammates to make a difference.”
Till ended up scoring two tries. It means he is still Tuks leading try scorer, with nine to his name.
Tharquin Manuel (centre) said what excited him was how Tuks could step when it seemed they were losing control.
“The exciting thing is that I don’t think we have even come close to playing at our best.”
Jean-Pierre Wentzel (flyhalf), who succeeded with nine conversions against Madibaz, said credit should go to the coaching staff.
“Our coaches are next-level and open-minded. As players, we can voice an opinion, and they would listen. This is one of the most special teams I have played for. Our squad has so much depth, so who plays does not matter. We are like a band of brothers on and off the field.”