The FNB Varsity Cup 2025 Final will see old foes squaring off in Stellenbosch as FNB Maties host FNB UCT Ikeys. Stellies were victorious by 31-24 when they locked horns in a close encounter in round five.
UCT will be appearing in their third straight final, hoping it’ll be ‘third time lucky’ after coming up short in the past. Coach Robbie Fleck admitted his team are relishing the prospect of a Western Cape derby showdown.
“There’s no bigger game for our guys if they can’t host a final – is to play a final against Maties at the Danie Craven. That in itself is obviously a huge excitement for the group.”
Fleck will be relying on his team’s past experiences to help get them over the line in 2025, “This is our third final in a row now and there’s been a number of players who’ve been part of those finals and I guess we’ve got to treat it like another game and go through our processes and focus on us and enjoy the week”.
The Ikey Tigers coach believes that the hard work his team produces on the training ground will lead them to their desired destination at the Danie Craven Stadium.
“We know that all finals are played at another intensity altogether, but you know, we are going to get it right at training, and we mainly focus on our style. That’s the key thing for us is that we play a certain brand and that’s part of the Ikey way and it’s part of any Ikey Tigers’ DNA,” said Fleck.
The UCT coach expects a memorable finale to unfold and admitted that his team will look to be on the front foot against their old foe.
Fleck explained, “It was an excellent game of rugby last time out. We played really well, and it was a close game in the end. We were able to put them under pressure, probably for the first time this year, and we would like to think that we’ll do the same”.
Starting XV: Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg, Zachary Porthen, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Siphomezo Dyonase (captain), Connor Jack Gordon, Xola Nyali, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Thomas Nel, Rethabile Louw, Duran Rayn Koevort. Replacements: Johan Lombard, Mhleli Khuzwayo, J.K Okonkwo, Keenan Mills, Aden Da Costa, Josh Miller, Kian Davis, Aidan Norris.
