FNB Maties Rugby Club (Maties) hope to improve in upcoming Varsity Cup fixtures following their 50-28 defeat by the FNB UFS Shimlas (Shimlas) on 21 February. This is according to Maties head coach, Norman Jordaan.
“It was disappointing. There was a lack of effort and commitment on our side,” said Jordaan about the game, which took place at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein. “For the [next] game we will have to execute our plan and focus on ourselves.”
Norman Jordaan, head coach of FNB Maties Rugby Club, is determined to see his team bounce back with a win in their next game against Wits. Pictured is Jordaan running match simulation drills during a training session. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
Maties captain, Gift Dlamini, acknowledged where things went wrong for his team. “We trained well but we didn’t stick to the gameplan,” he said. “We made rash decisions and silly mistakes which came back to hurt us.”
Although disappointed, Dlamini maintained hope that the team will do better in upcoming games. “The thing about Maties is that we’re a resilient side. We may be on the backfoot now but we understand that there is a long season ahead. Right now we need to focus on growing and planning for the next game.”
Prior to this most recent game, Shimlas had only beaten Maties twice in the Varsity Cup competition. In 2015, Shimlas was also crowned Varsity Cup champions. This most recent outcome is also a stark contrast to the 81-24 win Maties experienced against Shimlas in 2021.
Maties rugby players are working hard to ensure they avoid another disappointing defeat. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi
“Maties is a strong side, so it’s a great feeling to give the fans a performance like that, especially after how the game against Maties went last year,” stated Thabang Mahlasi, Shimlas’ captain. “The last thing we wanted was to feel the same way we felt after that game [in 2021]. It was awesome to have the fans run onto the field after the game.”
Maties will have a chance to redeem themselves in their upcoming game against FNB Wits.
The round three fixture between Maties and Wits will take place in Stellenbosch at the Danie Craven Stadium on 28 February.
Pictured are the Maties players enjoying a well-deserved water break during a difficult training session. PHOTO: Tim Malinzi