“We were motivated to win the [Varsity] cup after two years of playing in the finals and I’m really glad the guys could pull it off in such a convincing way.” These were the words of Maties coach, Hawies Fourie, after his team beat Pukke 40-7 in the final of the Varsity Cup on Monday evening.
The last time Maties won the cup was in 2010. The final, on Monday at the Danie Craven Stadium, was their third consecutive final where they have previously lost to Pukke in 2016 and Tuks in 2017.
“It was a big effort from the team this whole season and I felt that in the business end [of the tournament], we started to put everything together.
“We took it easier in the build-up to this year’s final,” said Fourie. “In the past two years, I feel we were a bit tense. We [as a coaching staff] tried to keep the players calm and take the pressure away from them and just take it as another game.
Maties celebrate winning the Varsity Cup. PHOTO: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images
“There was determination in the team from our first training camp in George and I could feel there was something special about this group,” added Fourie.
Maties, when playing at home this season, have often played to sell-out crowds. Fourie is grateful for the support the team has received and says that while he was at the Griquas, it would be rare for him to see as many supporters as he’s seen while coaching Maties.
“The support this year has been amazing. At Griquas, you were lucky to see 3 000 people at a Currie Cup game and in my first year here, we had 13 000 supporters in our first home game.
Supporters at the Varsity Cup final on Monday evening. PHOTO: Frana Lombard
“For the final in particular, it was amazing to see the supporters run onto the field, singing and dancing with the players was something I’ve never seen in my life,” he said.
Varsity Cup CEO, Duitser Bosman, was full of praise for Maties following their fourth Varsity Cup title. “You guys were really good on the evening,” said Bosman. He also congratulated the team that put the whole production of the Varsity Cup together by saying, “with the dipping viewership and attendance numbers for rugby, we have seen increased viewership and attendance in Varsity Cup”.