In a display of grit and tactical brilliance, Tuks Rugby kicked off their Varsity Cup campaign with a commanding 38-22 victory over rivals Ikeys on Monday night at Tuks Stadium.
Tuks head coach Dewey Swartbooi praised his side’s resilience, attributing the win to the team’s belief in their own ability.
“I can’t quite describe it, but the guys have a belief in their ability, and they go with it. That’s why they played the way they played last night. I take my hat off to them.”
A Story of Two Halves
The match started frantically, with Ikeys’ Lezane Davis scoring within the first 25 seconds, triggering flashbacks of last year’s losses against the Cape side. However, Tuks quickly shifted momentum.
Captain Dillon Smith immediately responded, running 25 meters to score, setting the tone for a dominant first half. Despite a temporary lead by Ikeys following a try by Jack Benade, Tuks rallied to take a 28-17 lead into halftime.
Defence Wins Championships
While Ikeys launched relentless attacks in the second half, Tuks’ defensive line held firm. Swartbooi highlighted that this defensive tenacity is key to their championship aspirations.
“Defence wins you championships, while with attack you win games. That’s very true.”
Tactical Brilliance and Mentorship
A highlight of the match was the partnership between flyhalf Divan du Toit and right wing Andile Myeni, who teamed up for two spectacular tries orchestrated by perfect tactical kick passes from Du Toit.
The tactical approach was heavily influenced by pre-match video analysis and inspiration from Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok. Swartbooi encouraged Du Toit to “express himself” on the field, similar to how Libbok dictates play for the Springboks.
Du Toit, who named Libbok as a role model, earned Player of the Match honours for his stellar performance.
Despite the high-scoring win, Swartbooi remained grounded, noting that the tournament is a long “war of attrition.”
