For the first time since 2015, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) rugby side (Maties) will not participate in the First National Bank (FNB) Varsity Cup final.
Siba Xamlashe, a winger on the Maties rugby team, scored twice in the semi-final match against the Tuks, the University of Pretoria rugby team, on 28 May. PHOTO: Supplied/matiesrugby
Maties were the Varsity Cup champions in 2018 and 2019, and had not missed a Varsity Cup final since 2015, according to Drikus Hancke, head coach of Maties Rugby. They were favoured to win heading into the competition in Pretoria, but the University of Pretoria team (Tuks) were the better team during the semi-final, said Hancke. Maties lost that game 44-35 against Tuks on 28 May.
“I think [Tuks] thoroughly deserved to beat us [in the semi-final]. They were the better team on the field and on the day,” said Hancke.
Due to Covid-19 regulations, the tournament was hosted inside a bio-bubble at the FNB Varsity Cup Village in Pretoria, according to Hancke. Tuks, having trained for and participated in the competition on home ground, had a slight advantage, he said.
“I think to play a whole competition on your home ground is definitely a bit of an advantage, but they [Tuks] played very well and definitely deserved to win,” said Hancke.
A list of Varsity Cup Final matchups from 2015 to the present. INFOGRAPHIC: James Cameron Heron
Maties have won the Varsity Cup five times since 2008 — more than any other team in the competition’s history. The team experienced added pressure due to the expectation that they would make the final, according to Hancke.
“I think a club like Maties, with a proud tradition, heritage and history…there’s always the expectation to play in Varsity Cup finals and win them,” said Hancke.
Albert Liebenberg, a lock on the Maties rugby team, reflects on the Varsity Cup competition, and what he missed while playing away from home.
Despite finishing second overall in the Varsity Cup standings, and beating Tuks earlier in the season, Maties faced a different challenge at the semi-final, according to Albert Liebenberg, a lock on the Maties team.
“[Tuks] were very ready for us. We prepared well, but they destroyed us with the kicking game. Tuks are a good force to reckon with,” said Liebenberg. “It was a bitter pill to swallow, but we will build from here,” he added.
Tuks were considered underdogs heading into the semi-final, but the players from Pretoria stepped up to the challenge, according to Tharquinn Manuel, scrum-half for Tuks.
Tharquinn Manuel, a scrum-half on the Tuks team from the University of Pretoria, celebrates with his teammates after winning the Varsity Cup semi-final. PHOTO: Supplied/varsitycupsa
“Coming into the semi-final with them, we just had a different mindset. Coming in as underdogs was something special,” said Manuel. “We knew that the only difference between us and Maties was discipline and the kicking game.” he added.
After losing 34-12 to Maties in the 2019 Varsity Cup final, Tuks now appear confident heading into the 2021 final against the University of Cape Town team (Ikeys) on 31 May, according to Manuel.
“Not seeing Maties in the final just shows that it’s anyone’s game, and that there were many upsets that happened in this year’s Varsity Cup,” said Manuel. “We’re really looking forward to the final. I think the final is going to be an interesting one coming on Monday.”
A poster for the 2021 FNB Varsity Cup. The FNB Ikeys, from the University of Cape Town, will take on the Tuks, from the University of Pretoria, on 31 May. PHOTO: Supplied/varsitycupsa