Wits rugby first team lost 17–19 against North West University in a thrilling encounter at the Wits rugby stadium.
After capping off a great season by winning the Varsity Shield competition, Wits were looking to test themselves against the best.
The North West University rugby team, affectionately known as Pukke, are the current champions of the Varsity Cup after beating Stellenbosch University 7–6 in the final.
The Varsity Cup champs showed their class in the first half of the game, as Wits made costly mistakes and were punished. Pukke scored two tries in quick succession and the home team’s only points in the first stanza came from Warren Gilbert’s boot. At the break Pukke led 14–3.
A serious pep talk at halftime by Wits coach Hugo van As seemed to rejuvenate the home side as they came out blazing. They piled the pressure on the visitors from the get-go and Sicelo Champion cut through the visitor’s defence before laying the ball off to Ruan Cloete who sprinted to dot down.
Although they showed great character and spirit throughout the encounter, and despite scoring a second try and taking the game to the wire, it was not to be for Wits.
