DYLAN JACK looks back at the second round of the Varsity Cup and picks three players who stood out during Monday’s action.
Aidynn Cupido (Wits)
Cupido’s move from UWC to Wits was the headline transfer during the off-season. Cupido was instrumental in UWC’s two Varsity Shield title victories and eventual promotion to the Varsity Cup, but decided to leave his hometown for the City of Gold in 2020.
While he mostly played at flyhalf in 2019, Cupido has been used at inside centre alongside Kurt Webster in a double-playmaker role for Wits. Judging by the first two rounds of the season, Cupido appears to have seamlessly fitted into his new team.
In Wits’ first-ever derby win over UJ, Cupido carried endlessly and constantly tested the UJ defence with clever running lines while trying to put his teammates into space. His efforts earned him the Player that Rocks [Man of the Match] award as Wits went on to snatch a 7-6 victory late on in the match.
It took nearly 70 min for the first try of the game, but @WitsSport have scored a 7 point try and taken the lead in the Joburg derby!
Matt Macdonald finishing off a great effort by the Witsies!#RugbyThatRocks @WitsUniversity pic.twitter.com/r5NJgXHN75
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) February 10, 2020
ALSO READ: Wits snatch historic derby win
Kabelo Mokoena (UP-Tuks)
Mokoena grabbed his first start of the 2020 Varsity Cup season with both hands, scoring two tries – one of them a seven-pointer – to help UP overcome the tough challenge of winning in Bloemfontein.
The wing scored a bag of tries for the Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 team last year, so if he can keep himself fit and in form, Tuks fans can expect a few more from him.
ALSO READ: UWC off the mark in Varsity Cup
Keagan Fortune (UWC)
Having been with UWC since their days in the Varsity Shield, Fortune is one of the experienced players in their squad this year.
Plenty rests on the flyhalf’s shoulders in the creativity department following Cupido’s departure to Johannesburg.
However, Fortune showed in an away contest against Shimlas that he can more than take up the responsibility. Other than kicking two conversions and penalties, Fortune scored a decisive seven-point try to bring his side back into the contest and eventually grab a one-point win to kick-start their season.
That winning feeling!
Smiles all around as @UWCSport clutch the 1 point away victory over FNB Shimlas. #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/eQQaQfqs2k
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) February 10, 2020
Photo: Dominic Barnardt/Varsity Sports
