Stellenbosch university, who are defending champions in South Africa's Varsity Cup rugby competition, smashed Nelson Mandela Metro University (NMMU) 68-20 in the first round of the 2010 season in Port Elizabeth on Monday. Known as the Maties, Stellenbosch scored 10 tries to the two of NMMU, as they showed why they are the favorites to claim their third consecutive title. The South African Press Association reported that it was a very spirited NMMU outfit that held Maties to a one-point (14-13) lead in the first half-an-hour, but then the Stellenbosch students turned on the power and raced clear in the remainder of the match. Maties, after overcoming that early resistance from their Port Elizabeth opponents, took control of the forward exchanges in the latter stages of the first half and opened a handy 28-13 lead at the break. The Stellenbosch students were particularly dominant in the set- pieces and on the drive. NMMU played into a very strong wind in the first half and as was to be expected Stellenbosch had the early territorial advantage. The Port Elizabeth students had their moments in the early exchanges, it was just a matter of time before the dam wall broke. 