Exhilarating crowd cheering in a pouring rain that delayed the opening 2016 Varsity Rugby match between University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) gave UJ enough ammunition to bag their opening win at home on Monday, 8 February 2016. Ending almost as a game of two halves, UJ managed to clinch their 19-12 win over the Madibaz, extending the lead from a nail-biting action with the score at 12-12 in the second half.

A try and a penalty for UJ sealed the game for UJ, following the Joburg side’s penalties that gave them the lead in most of the first 40 minutes of the game. In the second half, the Eastern Cape side (NMMU) managed to score a few penalties and a try that gave chills to the UJ team following a sloppy defense. However, that proved futile to the visitors as UJ regained its strength in defending and launching attacks.

The crowd from the stands was exhilarating. UJ residences cheered relentlessly from the start to the last whistle blow. With good music thumping and almost everyone cheering for the hosts, UJ’s home ground advantage paid off.

Still coming up, UJ will be playing its home games against Central University of Technology (CUT), Matties, and then University of Cape Town (UCT) IKEYS.

Player That Rocks: UJ – Hilton Mudariki