In a repeat of the 2021 final, FNB Tuks managed the wet and windy conditions just a little better than the FNB Ikeys to hold onto the bragging rights, with the clash ending 38:30 in favor of the Pretoria outfit after being tied 21:21 at the break. The Ikeys bagged a losing bonus point and remain 2nd in the log after round 3.
UCT scored three tries from the set-piece in the first half, and showed greater ambition from deep, which may well have seen them score more points during this period, were it not for a series of handling errors.
Both teams lost players to yellow cards as half-time approached. Tuks flank Orateng Koikanyang for cynical play on his own tryline, while Ikeys fullback Duran Koevort copped a controversial yellow for an illegal tackle.
The hosts thrived in the 14-on-14 contest, and Ikeys did well to keep them relatively honest in this period. The half ended level at 21 all.
Playing with a strong win at their backs in the second half, Tuks proceeded to take control. The hosts navigated their way deep into opposition territory and then employed a driving maul of their own. Schoonees crashed over for his second try of the evening.
Just as the game was slipping away from the visitors, Koevort chased down a David Hayes kick and scored under the uprights.
The point-of-origin try, as well as the successful conversion by Koevort, allowed the Ikey Tigers to claw their way back to within a point of their opponents. This kick took Koevort’s personal tally for the evening to 21 points.
As the rain hammered down, both teams struggled to control the ball. Tuks won a crucial maul penalty, however, and ensured that they spent the final stages on the visitors tryline.
After a sustained period of attack, scrumhalf Bernard van der Linde breached the defence. Stefan Coetzee’s ensuing conversion stretched home sides’s lead to eight points, and ultimately denied the visitors a losing bonus point.
Tuks 38 (21) – Tries: Dian Schoonees (1×7, 1×5), Kabelo Mokoena, Zander Reynders, Bernard van der Linde. Conversions: Stefan Coetzee (4). Penalty: Coetzee.
Ikeys 30 (21) – Tries: Duran Koevort (1×5, 1×7), Alex Castle (2). Conversions: Koevort (4).
Player That Rocks: Lincoln Daniels (Tuks)
ROUND 3 log
