FNB Maties moved up to third place on the log, following their recent win in the FNB Varsity Cup. One round of matches remain before the beginning of the playoffs.
Maties defeated FNB Madibaz 61-21 in round eight of the FNB Varsity Cup on 4 April. The win marked the team’s 100th victory in the Varsity Cup, according to Maties Sport.
“I thought that we showed great guts and we just really enjoyed the win,” said Gift Dlamini, who captained Maties during the game on Monday evening.
Maties sit just three points behind log leaders FNB UFS Shimlas and four points clear of FNB UP Tuks, who are in fourth place. At the end of round nine of the Varsity Cup, the top four teams on the log will qualify for the playoffs, which begin with the semi-finals on 18 April. This is according to the Varsity Cup website.
FNB Maties line up for the national anthem ahead of their game against FNB Madibaz on 4 April at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Discussing the season
Maties have won six out of eight games so far this season, with their only losses coming against UFS Shimlas and FNB UCT Ikeys, who currently occupy the top two spots on the log. Maties are also unbeaten in four games at home. This is according to the Varsity Cup website.
“I think the season has obviously been up and down in terms of results, but I think there’s been a lot of progression in the team,” said Drikus Hancke, head of rugby at Maties. “The team as a group has learnt a lot and I can see a lot of growth.” Hancke stated that he is very excited and optimistic about the rest of the season.
Norman Jordaan, Maties’ first team head coach, described the team as a very close unit and said that working with the squad this year has been interesting and challenging, but “very exciting as well”. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” stated Jordaan.
Marcqiewn Titus scores the first try of the game for FNB Maties in their game against FNB Madibaz on 4 April. The winger went on to score three tries during the 61-21 victory, according to Maties Sport. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Playoffs on the horizon
Maties have made the playoffs in 11 of the previous 13 editions of the Varsity Cup, winning a record five titles.
“I think the gents are very excited [for the playoffs]. We’ve worked very hard and it’s been a long season. We just want to see our hard labour coming to fruition,” said Dlamini.
Despite being third on the log, Maties aren’t in the clear yet, stated Jordaan. “We still need to win against UWC because we are only four points [clear of Tuks]. They can easily win and get five points.”
Jurie Matthee, FNB Maties flyhalf, converts a penalty during the first half of the game against FNB Madibaz. Matthee scored two tries and racked up 27 points in total during the game. For his performance, he was named the game’s FNB Player That Rocks. PHOTO: Cody Hansen
Room for improvement
“I feel that we have to improve in a lot of areas,” said Jordaan. “We would like to be much more accurate in the execution [during games].”
Drikus Hancke said that Maties have to work on putting in the “80 minute performance”. Hancke said that while his team’s performance improved against Madibaz, he wants the team to “play well for both halves” of the game.
Maties’ next game is against FNB UWC on 11 April at the Danie Craven stadium.
“We’re really hoping that the coming week’s game is going to be a packed stadium,” said Kimara Singh, media and communication manager at Maties Sport.