Despite inclement weather over the opening two days, the University Sports South Africa (USSA) waterpolo nationals was played in high spirits at the Joan Harrison over the weekend.
Being the first USSA nationals in three years, teams were not too perturbed by the tricky and cold conditions. A tough competition expected of the final day’s play on Monday.
Pre-tournament favourites the University of Stellenbosch Maties and the University of Cape Town were dominating both pools, with a few games still to be played on Sunday evening at the time of going to print.
In the men's division Maties and UCT were the only unbeaten teams, both having won four matches each.
UCT were looking the stronger side having drilled Free State 24-2, hammered Nelson Mandela University Madibaz 23-0 and comfortably beaten the University of Pretoria Tuks 15-4.
Maties had been almost as impressive with big wins of 18-5 over Tuks, 16-4 against their second team and 14-0 against Free State.
It is likely set to be a grand stand finish to the tournament for these two sides, with them drawn to face each other in the last game of the tournament on Monday and the winner of that game will most likely win the nationals.
Free State and the Madibaz were the teams struggling the most, having not yet managed a win by the afternoon and they will hope to have notched up a win by the end.
The same situation looks to be developing in the women's division, with Maties and UCT also unbeaten.
However it is the Maties team that looks strongest, with powerful 15-4 victory over the Madibaz and 15-0 thumping of Free State.
UCT then edged the Madibaz 5-4 and earned a good 10-4 win over Varsity College, to keep their winning run in check.
Maties and UCT will also contest the final women's match of the nationals on Monday, most likely making that a winner takes all finale as well, meaning the nationals are set to go right down to the wire in both divisions.
Monday's final day of action will get under way at 9am.
The Maties v UCT women will take centre stage at 11.20am, while the men will play the last match of the nationals at 12.30pm.
A prizegiving ceremony will round off this year’s USSA waterpolo nationals at 1.45pm in the afternoon, with the teams heading off after that...