In an intense Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge match, NWU started strong and maintained their momentum to secure a 33-21 victory over Pirates. The game, featuring last year’s finalists, attracted a big crowd who enjoyed the high-quality rugby on display.
NWU came out quick from the blocks, with their inside centre making a brilliant line break from the 50-meter mark to score the first try. They quickly followed this up with another try, taking an early lead of 12-0 within the first ten minutes of the game. Captain Abre Minnie extended NWU’s lead at the 20-minute mark, putting them ahead 19-0 and leaving Pirates with a significant gap to close.
Libho Geza opened the scoring for Pirates 25 minutes into the match, reducing the deficit and giving Pirates a glimmer of hope. The teams went into halftime with NWU leading 19-7.
Despite a determined effort from Pirates in the second half, NWU continued to dominate. The final score was 33-21 in favor of NWU, with Tiaan Hechter earning the Castle Lager Man of the Match award for his impressive performance in the scrums.
The match was a testament to the skill and determination of both teams, with NWU ultimately proving too strong on the day. The large crowd in attendance was treated to an exciting and competitive game, reflecting the high stakes and quality of rugby in the Castle Lager Pirates Grand Challenge.
