FNB Maties were “disappointed” following their recent loss to FNB UP-Tuks at the Danie Craven Stadium in the Varsity Cup final. This is according to Kimara Singh, media and communications manager of Maties Sport.
The 29-23 loss to Tuks on 25 April marked the end of Maties’ unbeaten home run in the 2022 Varsity Cup campaign at the Danie Craven Stadium. “It was a difficult loss to take,” stated Singh.
As the two most successful sides in the Varsity Cup competition’s history, the rivalry between FNB Maties and FNB Tuks is one of the biggest clashes in the competition, according to Nico Luus, FNB UP-Tuks rugby head coach. “Both teams look forward to each season, and both teams have a huge respect for one another,” said Luus in written correspondence with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Maties left to reflect
Despite the loss, Singh said that Maties Sport was pleased with the team’s performance and was proud to host the 10th Varsity Cup final at the Danie Craven Stadium. “It’s tough and obviously we want to do better as a team. But we take the loss and we hope that, next season, we bring another trophy home,” Singh added.
“You take the wins and the losses and you try to move forward,” said Kimara Singh, media and communications manager of Maties Sport, in an interview with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
“It is bad not to win the cup but […] it is a game of small margins,” said Adriaan van der Bank, Maties captain. “It easily could have been us that lifted the cup, but this time it wasn’t destined for us.”
“I am just so proud of the boys, we stuck together through everything,” he said, adding that he was “just grateful to be a part of this team”.
“The fans last night [were] really amazing,” said Adriaan van der Bank, captain of FNB Maties on the day after their defeat. “I get goosebumps every time […] I ran out on the DC [Danie Craven]. It’s a special place and it will stay a special place forever.” He said having the crowds back was “awesome”. “Hopefully, we can see more of that in the future,” Van der Bank added. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Ilhaam Groenewald, chief director of Maties Sport, told MatieMedia via written correspondence that she was “gutted” by the loss but proud of the “Maroon Machine team”. “[The Varsity Cup season] is filled with surprises, celebrations and sadness for some, yet every year we give it our all,” said Groenewald.
“Respect to our student-athletes, coaches and staff for reaching the final. Next year we will come back stronger,” said Groenewald.
Reflecting on the Varsity Cup season, Van der Bank said there was a big difference between the pre-season and their performance in the final. “We had our ups and downs but I feel we always came back after the downs and put in a pretty solid performance the next week.”
“I am proud of the boys and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead them,” said Adriaan van der Bank, captain of FNB Maties. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Tuks celebrate historic victory
Tuks made history on Monday as they became the first fourth-placed team on the league table to win a Varsity Cup title. This is according to the Varsity Cup website.
“We knew it was going to be a tough effort,” said Lincoln Daniels, captain of Tuks, in an interview with MatieMedia. “Credit to our psychologist JL de Jager for preparing us mentally […] What the boys showed tonight was great stuff,” Daniels added.
“I am very happy standing here,” said Lincoln Daniels, captain of FNB UP-Tuks (left) after the game. Daniels is pictured with Nico Luus, head coach of UP-Tuks (right). PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Nico Luus, Tuks head coach said he felt “relief” after the win. “It was such an intense game […] It could have gone any way,” said Luus in an interview with MatieMedia. “I am proud of the guys and we kept on fighting, but for now, it’s just relief.”
Bernard van der Linde (left), scrumhalf for FNB UP-Tuks, scored two crucial tries including the title-winning try, in their Varsity Cup victory against FNB Maties. “We have to say thank you to all the teammates; without them I would not have scored […] I am so glad to be [a] part of this team,” said Van der Linde in an interview with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Reflecting on the Varsity Cup season, Luus said that there were a lot of “ups and downs” for all teams in the Varsity Cup competition. “I think any one of the seven teams could have won this competition […] I am just grateful that we are the lucky team that could have won it,” he stated.
FNB Player That Rocks and FNB UP-Tuks player Stephan Smit said it was an honour and privilege to receive the man of the match award. “It’s not just one person. It’s always a team effort and I could not have done it without the team,” said Smit. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
The FNB Maties and FNB UP-Tuks sides running through their final preparations and warm-up routines before their clash in the Varsity Cup final. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
An electric atmosphere filled the Danie Craven Stadium during the Varsity Cup final on 25 April. FNB Maties and FNB UP-Tuks fans arrived with signs, shirts and other merchandise to showcase their support. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
The closely contested game between FNB Maties and FNB UP-Tuks saw both sides compete in an intense affair. “It was a game of small margins,” said Adriaan van der Bank, captain of Maties. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
FNB-Tuks won the match 29-23. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Tuks celebrated their fifth Varsity Cup win, equalling Maties’ record of Varsity Cup titles. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Bernard van der Linde (right), Tuks scrumhalf, scored the title-winning try in the last minutes of the game that saw his team crowned Varsity Cup 2022 champions. Van der Linde spoke to MatieMedia editor, Na’ilah Ebrahim (left), after the game. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi