The Maties Varsity Cup team have one job this year: to win Varsity Cup 2018. The reality is that the last time Maties won the title was in 2010. Since then, they have laboured through mediocre seasons, followed by two dominant seasons [in 2016 and 2017], which still did not yield a trophy.
Based on the evidence of their performance in 2018, it is safe to conclude that this year the Maties team have the winning recipe to finally lift the title. The fact that it has taken the heartbreak of two finals to do so, really takes away from it. This year they simply have to win it. For themselves and certainly for the many supporters who back them.
So far in 2018, the Maties team have managed to remain unbeaten, with the draw against Wits having been the only time they dropped points. Sitting top of the table on 22 points, Maties have the opportunity to stretch their lead further when they host UCT Ikeys this coming Monday. What’s more, should Maties win that game (which I believe they will) then the path will be set in motion for them to lift the title and win the Cup.
The Maties team of 2018 have a spring in their step which makes it easy to believe in them. Neil Oelofse, as both player and captain commands the best of his team. Hawies Fourie, as an uncompromising, meticulous coach, who has overseen the team since 2015, needs to get the best out of his team this year. The best will simply be lifting the title.
Chippie Oelofse (centre). Maties captain. PHOTO: Varsity Cup
As a unit, there is certainly the potential for the Maties team to go all the way. In Marno Redelinghuys, they have an uncompromising flanker who has been a revelation this year, and his two, successive ‘Player that Rocks’ awards prove it.
It is particularly in the backline where there has been the most revelation. Chris Smith, commands the best of the position. In midfield, there simply is no question about the class that forms both rock solid defence and sublime attacking powers. Out wide in Duncan Saal and Edwill van der Merwe, you have two classy players who mix swagger with the sensational. Saal has been the best player Maties has had all season totalling no less than seven tries to date.
To Maties, there simply can be one conclusion: beat Ikeys and you are on course to end your trophy drought.
You can find the Varsity Cup fixture list here.