The UCT Ikey Tigers came from a 23-point deficit to draw 44-44 with CUT in Bloemfontein, while there were wins for Tuks, Wits and Maties in round four of the Varsity Cup.
In a thrilling end-to-end encounter, CUT surrendered a 37-14 lead and had to settle for a draw after UCT prop Josh van Vuuren scored a 79th- minute converted try.
Importantly for the Cape side, flyhalf James Tedder was on form with the boot as he converted all six of their tries to keep them in the match.
The result moves UCT into second on the log, two points ahead of Maties – who have a game in hand – and three points away from log leaders UP-Tuks.
CUT – Tries: Niell Stannard (2), Luvuyo Ndevu, PJ Krugell, Christiaan Nel, Janus Venter. Conversions: Cohen Jasper (5).
UCT – Tries: Michael Brink, Cuan Hablutzel, James Tedder, Liam Furniss, Gary Porter, Josh van Vuuren. Conversions: Tedder (6).
Meanwhile, in Pretoria, Tuks were given a scare by Shimlas but managed to fight back to grab a 43-33 bonus-point victory, their fourth straight win this season.
The hosts found themselves 19-7 down in the first half, but then got going and narrowed the score to 19-17 at half time.
Tuks continued their momentum in the second half, with tries from on-form wing Kabelo Mokoena, centre Sango Xamlashe and replacement Leshley October putting them ahead for the first time in the match. Shimlas attemped a late comeback as wing Charl Pretorius and flank Jan Rossouw scored their second tries, but it was not enough to rescue the match.
UP-Tuks – Tries: Stephan Smit (2), Stefan Coetzee, Kabelo Mokoena, Sango Xamlashe, Leshley October. Conversions: Theo Boshoff (3), Alex-Zander du Plessis (1). Penalty: Boshoff.
Shimlas – Tries: Charl Pretorius (2), Jan Rossouw (2), William Eybers. Conversions: JP Duvenage (4).
In the other result of the round, replacement flyhalf Chris Humphries slotted a late penalty to give Wits a 27-24 win over NWU in Johannesburg.
The home side flew into a 17-0 lead, thanks to tries from wing Matt MacDonald, flank Philip Krause and fullback Daniel Kasende.
However, NWU came back and made it 24-24 in the second half, with captain and No 8 Edmund Rheeder scoring a brace. That set up a big finale, which ended with Humphries confidently kicking a 40m penalty to give his team the win.
After winning all three of their opening games, Wits are currently fourth with a game in hand over UCT and Tuks.
Wits – Tries: Matt MacDonald, Philip Krause, Daniel Kasende, Travis Gordon. Conversion: Kurt Webster. Penalty: Chris Humphries.
NWU – Tries: Edmund Rheeder (2), Chuiner van Rooyen, Lincoln Daniels. Conversions: Lungelo Gosa, Wihan von Wielligh.
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Photo: Photo: Hannes Naude
