Maties women has qualified for the Varsity Cup finals after defeating the University of Johannesburg (UJ) women 22-19.
SMF News attended the match, which took place at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch on 4 April.
Maties women celebrating their win over University of Johannesburg (UJ) women at Danie Craven Stadium on 4 April. The team will play University of Pretoria’s Tuks women in the final on 11 April. This is according to the Varsity Cup’s website. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“To do it here, at home, is next level,” said Elmé Kruger, Maties’ flyhalf and the player of the match. “I couldn’t have asked for a better semi-final. These girls worked so hard. Absolutely amazing.”
“It’s unfortunate, but I’m really proud of the girls,” said Siham Chtioui, captain of UJ and the team’s flyhalf. “We made it really far before, so it wasn’t like we gave them an easy win.”
Elizabeth Slabbert, Maties women’s captain and outside centre, moments before being tackled. Maties played against University of Johannesburg (UJ) women in the semi-finals at Danie Craven Stadium on 4 April. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
In the final two minutes of the game, Maties levelled the score to 19-19 with a try. Kruger then brought Maties to victory after being awarded a penalty and opting to kick for polls.
“My heart stopped,” said Kruger. “I still can’t believe it, to be honest.”
Elmé Kruger, Maties women’s flyhalf, won player of the match in the semi-final against University of Johannesburg (UJ) women at the Danie Craven Stadium on 4 April. SMF News was in attendance. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
Maties on the backfoot
“UJ showed up today and, joh, they gave us a fight!” said Elizabeth Slabbert, Maties’ captain and the team’s outside centre.
Even though Maties scored two tries in the first five minutes of the game, the first half ended with UJ scoring their second try in the last 30 seconds, equalising the game at 14-14.
Maties women receiving the ball in a lineout in University of Johannesburg (UJ) women’s 22m. UJ lost to Maties 19-22 in the final seconds of the game. SMF News was in attendance. “It’s unfortunate, but I’m really proud of the girls,” said Siham Chtioui, captain of UJ and the team’s flyhalf. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis
“We lacked a bit after the first two tries, so half-time was really a wake-up call for us,” said Slabbert.
“We were on the back foot constantly from [half-time]. Just little mistakes,” said Bianca Augustyn, Maties’ assistant coach. “But they kept picking themselves up and kept fighting. I can’t be more proud.”
Preparing for the final
Maties is looking for redemption after their loss in the finals last year, according to Augustyn.
“The main thing will stay the main thing, [which is to] focus on the basics,” said Augustyn about preparing for the final.
For Kruger, preparation means focusing on the “need to stay humble”, as well as recovering from the recent match by “[having] those Steri Stumpies and ice baths”.
Maties will go head-to-head with University of Pretoria’s Tuks women on 11 April in the Varsity Cup final, according to the Varsity Cup website.
The Maties women’s team. The team are through to the finals after narrowly beating University of Johannesburg (UJ) women 22-19 in the semi-final at Danie Craven Stadium on 4 April. SMF News was in attendance. “Beyond blessed to come out on top today,” said Elmé Kruger, Maties’ flyhalf and player of the match. PHOTO: Annemieke Thomaidis