FNB Maties will play in their 10th FNB Varsity Cup final after coming out victorious in the recent semi-final playoffs against FNB Ikeys.
This is according to Kimara Singh, media and communications manager of Maties Sport.
Maties outscored their Capetonian opponents 58-19 at the University of Cape Town Rugby Fields, known as the ‘Green Mile’, on 18 April.
FNB Maties’ recent victory in the playoffs against FNB UCT Ikeys follows a previous match between the two teams in round 7 of the FNB Varsity Cup, which saw FNB Maties suffer a 44-27 loss. Both matches took place at the University of Cape Town Rugby Fields, known as the ‘Green Mile’. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
Maties on their gameplay
“We worked hard during the week and we all pulled through together after we lost here [at the Green Mile],” said Sean Swart, Maties hooker and winner of the FNB Player that Rocks award for this game, to MatieMedia after the match.
“When we started practicing again, everyone made practice and did our best. I think we can only improve from there,” continued Swart.
Sean Swart, who plays hooker for FNB Maties, won the FNB Player that Rocks award at the Varsity Cup playoffs on 18 April. “[Winning the award is] really great. I am actually overwhelmed but I’m going to enjoy some time with the team and give a big thanks to them. It’s really great to be a part of a team with a culture like this one and I’m very grateful,” Swart told MatieMedia. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
Tom Bursey, Maties scrumhalf, expressed his content with the team’s execution of their game plan, despite the adjustments that were made to the plan following their defeat by Ikeys in round 7 of the Varsity Cup earlier this year.
“The forwards played out of their boots to give the backs an easy job of getting over the line. I’m really chuffed with the performance and we will take confidence from this going into the final,” said Bursey via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
Ikeys left to reflect on past season
Despite being second on the log, Ikeys will not be in the finals due to their recent loss at the playoffs against Maties. PHOTO: Na’ilah Ebrahim
“I’m proud of what they’ve [Ikeys players] put in and they just got physically outmuscled by a stronger team tonight,” Tom Dawson-Squibb, Ikeys first team head coach, told MatieMedia after the match.
“[The season has] been special, we have a very special group,” said Ikeys player Imad Khan to MatieMedia after the game.
“We’ve put in a lot of hard work […] it’s a lot of hours, a lot of sacrifice that’s gone into it, and I think as a group we’ve pulled together nicely […] we’ve put some unbelievable performances together,” Khan added.
Excitement for the finals
“The [Maties] team’s performance last night was incredible, especially after losing to Ikeys in the round robin stage earlier in the competition. The boys redeemed themselves with a wonderful display of rugby and thoroughly deserve to be in the final where we now have home advantage,” said Singh.
Maties will face off against FNB UP-Tuks on 25 April at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.