WATCH | Galloping Shimlas lock Thabang Mahlasi lights up Varsity Cup with sublime attacking play

While the Shimlas - who boast Swys de Bruin as their new director of rugby - continued their imposing form in the Varsity Cup with a third straight victory in this season's campaign, their running rugby revolution is being headed by an unlikely candidate.

It's not a sniping scrumhalf, a fleet-footed winger or a magician at flyhalf.

Instead, it's a lanky, galloping lock in skipper Thabang Mahlasi, a 21-year-old hailing from unfashionable Vereeniging.

He proved a real talisman in the Shimlas' convincing 48-27 win over neighbours the CUT Ixias on Monday afternoon, particularly in terms of his special attacking abilities.

Mahlasi was the catalyst for getting his team on the board after a lacklustre first 30 min, dotting down under the posts.

The @UFSweb response was swift and with venom! Shimlas captain Thabang Mahlasi to his counterparts try with one of his own and cruises over with ease. #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/oPJ6qd0Wkx

But it was his starring role in the try for winger Asanda Kunene that really took the breath away. 

Following a cheeky tap from fullback Litha Nkula, the Shimlas made decent metres before Mahlasi ran a sublime angle and then off-loaded to his finisher.

Tap and go from inside their own 22 and @UFSweb captain Thaban Mahlasi with an absolutely beautiful line break and offload to Ayanda Kunene who gets some proper airmiles as he dives over to score one of the tries of FNB Varsity Cup season so far????!#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/djJ05pT7eO

The Shimlas are currently top of the log.