Overview
- Tuks beat defending champions UCT 38-22 in Pretoria, with flyhalf Divan du Toit named Man of the Match.
- Shimlas edged Maties 50-39 in a 13-try showcase that included the tournament’s first powerplay tap try by CJ Marx on an evening of tributes at Shimla Park.
- UJ outscored newcomers Emeris 61-41 in Johannesburg after trailing at half-time, with Emeris competing under their new name after Varsity College.
- NWU Eagles overturned a 10-point half-time deficit to defeat CUT Ixias 59-42 in another high-scoring Round 1 result.
- Coaches report the tap-conversion rule—offering five points from a post-try tap for up to 10 per try, or 12 from a Point of Origin score—has already shifted game management, with Maties executing two such conversions in defeat; Round 2 is set for 23 February.