The North-West University Eagles’ dream start to their Varsity Cup campaign has been shattered. A close 31–28 defeat by Maties on Monday evening, 6 March on the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds means that the Eagles’ triumphant march of two consecutive wins has now been arrested, but at one stage it looked as if the opposite was happening.

At half-time the Eagles led by 19–9 after Vernon Paulo had gone over for the first of his two tries within three minutes after kick-off. However, after the whistle had blown for the second half, the score board belonged to Maties, with the Eagles being punished repeatedly.

The other tries for the home team were scored by Zinedine Robinson and Arminn Posthumus, with Robinson also converting three tries.

Maties crossed the try line twice. However, it was Jurie Matthee’s kicking that played a decisive role for the winning team. He succeeded with two conversions and five penalties.

The next opponents on the list for the Eagles are UP Tukkies in Pretoria. On Monday evening Tukkies suffered a shock defeat of 41–39 against CUT after they had lost against Shimlas (26–25) in the opening round and then against UCT (42–19). This means that the students from the Jacaranda City are currently right at the bottom of the competition log, while the Eagles are still – thanks to a better points difference – still flying the highest of all the participating teams. However, Burger van der Westhuizen will know not to underestimate the former champions.

Those previous results mean nothing … not against Tuks.

Go get them! Prof Bismark Tyobeka, principal and vice-chancellor of the NWU, with Eagi before kick-off.

Photo: Barco Greeff