Maties’ winning streak continues in the Varsity Cup tournament as they beat the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Ikey Tigers 31 – 24, at the Danie Craven stadium on 17 March.
“Well done to the boys, this is their fifth win right now,” said Brendt Wayne de Wet, Varsity Cup master of ceremonies, at the end of the match.
“It’s always nice to get the bragging rights,” said Carel van der Merwe, Maties lock and vice-captain, after their victory in the Cape derby.
Post-match reflections
It was a tight game, with the Maties’ match-winning try coming in the last 60 seconds of the game.
“[Ikeys] took us to a dark place tonight,” said Van der Merwe. “They came out flying and it was an absolute, absolute hard game, from minute one to eighty.”
“I’m feeling pretty disappointed,” said Keagan Blanckenberg, Ikeys hooker. “As well as Maties played, we kind of handed them the win with our own mistakes, so credit to them but a lot to work on for us.”
Maties Rugby player Zuko Poswa (lock) in a line-out during the Varsity Cup match against University of Cape Town’s Ikey Tigers on 17 March. “They [gave] it their all, we gave it our all,” said Carel van der Merwe, Maties lock and vice-captain. “It was a hard game.” PHOTO: Daniela Botha
Maties captain injured
Ezekiel Ngobeni, the Maties captain, who scored three out of the team’s five tries, was rushed off the field by paramedics 20 minutes into the second half. He was unable to get up following his fourth attempt at scoring a try.
“[Ngobeni’s injury] was very shocking for us, but also a motivating factor,” said Van der Merwe. “We knew we had to make him proud because he put his body on the line so we knew we had to play a bit extra for the last 20 minutes.”
“I’m all in good spirits,” Ngobeni told SMF News. “We’re happy with the win […], and really appreciate all the support.”
At the time of publication, Ngobeni was still awaiting the results of the scans to determine the extent of his injury.
After Monday’s matches, Maties remains at the top of the Varsity Cup log with 25 points, while the University of Cape Town’s Ikey Tigers is in third with 16 points. This is according to the Varsity Cup website. PHOTO: Daniela Botha
Maties’ pre-match celebrations
Prior to the match, members of the rectorate and head of Maties Rugby, Drikus Hancke, went onto the field to celebrate 150 years of Maties Rugby. This included cutting a birthday cake and the Stellenbosch High School choir leading the stadium in singing Happy Birthday.
Drickus Hanke, head of Maties Rugby (left), and Professor Stan du Plessis (right), Stellenbosch University’s chief operating officer, cutting the cake as Stellenbosch High School choir sings Happy Birthday to celebrate 150 years of Maties Rugby. PHOTO: Daniela Botha