Varsity Cup final

The final of this season’s Varsity Cup will be contested on Monday, 17 April between NWU Eagles and UCT Ikeys. Photo: Twitter @VarsityCup

Varsity Cup final result: Were Maties ROBBED of victory? WATCH

Tuks produced a dramatic comeback to win the 2022 Varsity Cup final against Maties on Monday, but there was debate over the final try.

Varsity Cup final

The final of this season’s Varsity Cup will be contested on Monday, 17 April between NWU Eagles and UCT Ikeys. Photo: Twitter @VarsityCup

Tuks produced a dramatic comeback to win the 2022 Varsity Cup final against Maties on Monday, but there was plenty of debate over the final try.

It was Tuks’ fifth title overall as they become the first-ever team in Varsity Cup history to finish fourth on the league table and go on to win the Varsity Cup title.

VARSITY CUP RESULT: UP-TUKS STUN MATIES IN STELLENBOSCH

The match-defining moment came when Tuks fullback Stefan Coetzee gathered and broke the line from well within his own half late in the game, before offloading to put Bernard van der Linde over for the match-winner.

However, in making the pass as he was tackled, it did appear as if the ball moved forward from the hand.

TMO Egon Seconds was called in to make a ruling, and decided that it was ‘not clear and obvious’ enough to disallow the try, resulting in wild celebrations from the away side.

You can watch the decisive moment below from the Varsity Cup final:

VARSITY CUP FINAL TEAMS

Maties

15 Adriaan van der Bank (captain), 14 Mike Mavovana, 13 Waqar Solaan, 12 Taigh Schoor, 11 Anton du Toit, 10 Nevaldo Fleurs, 9 Thomas Bursey, 8 Simon Miller, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Gift Dlamini, 5 Matt Gray, 4 Juan Beukes, 3 Matimu Manganyi, 2 Sean Swart, 1 Vernon Matongo

Substitutes: 16 Chris Rossouw, 17 Rhynhardt Rijnsburger, 18 Corné Weilbach, 19 Jesse Johnson, 20 Siyabonga Matanda, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Jurie Mathee, 23 Marcqiewn Titus

UP-Tuks

15 Stefan Coetzee, 14 Kabelo Mokoena, 13 Zander Reynders, 12 Lincoln Daniels (captain), 11 Tharquinn Manuel, 10 Walter Visser, 9 Bernard van der Linde, 8 Orateng Koikanyang, 7 Stephan Smit, 6 Dian Schoonees, 5 Divan Venter, 4 Mihlali Stamper, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Allister Williams, 1 Ethan Burger

Substitutes: 16 Werner Fourie, 17 André van der Merwe, 18 Daniël Wessels, 19 Justice Nkombua, 20 Hilton Gie, 21 Chad-Lee Valentine, 22 Keane Galant, 23 Ambesa Zenzile

READ | DOUBLE TRAGEDY ROCKS SPRINGBOK RUGBY

Varsity Cup final:

Maties 23 (20) – Try: Mike Mavovana. Penalties: Nevaldo Fleurs (6)
UP-Tuks 29 (10) – Tries: Bernard van der Linde (2×7), Kabelo Mokoena (2). Conversion: Walter Visser. Penalty: Stefan Coetzee.
Player That Rocks: Stephan Smit (UP-Tuks)

Varsity Cup tournament award winners:

Player That Rocks: George Lourens (Shimlas)
Back That Rocks: Nevaldo Fleurs (Maties)
Forward That Rocks: Thabo Ndimande (Shimlas)