The FNB Maties kept their flawless record intact with an exhilarating 31-24 victory over a determined FNB Ikey Tigers side in a gripping fourth-round FNB Varsity Cup showdown at the electric Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch.
The highly-anticipated Western Cape derby between the FNB Maties and the Ikeys was everything fans hoped for—and more! This was no ordinary rugby match. It was a fierce, high-octane battle between two bitter rivals, each side giving their all in a clash of rugby titans.
The game unfolded like a heavyweight boxing match, with both teams relentlessly going toe-to-toe, refusing to back down. From the first whistle, it was clear: this was going to be a nail-biting contest of epic proportions.
Coach Kabamba Floors’ Maties and Ikeys head honcho Robbie Fleck’s squads were evenly matched across the board. The Tigers led 24-17 at halftime, and it looked like the visitors might just pull off a shock upset.
But then, enter Ezekiel Ngobeni, the Maties captain, who was simply unstoppable! The star player scored a brilliant hat-trick of tries to level the score at 24-all. Just when it seemed like he was about to take the game by the scruff of the neck with a fourth try, disaster struck—Ngobeni was forced to leave the field after picking up an injury.
With the match hanging in the balance and time running out, the Maties found another gear, sending their home crowd into a frenzy. Big winger Grant De Jager exploded through the Ikey defence, powering over the line for the match-winning try. The conversion followed, and the Danie Craven Stadium erupted as the final score settled at 31-24 in favour of the home side.
But the drama didn’t end there—aggressive lock Carel van der Merwe was a standout throughout the game, working tirelessly in the tight and loose exchanges. His bulldozing try was a fitting testament to his relentless energy, and he was deservedly named the Player That Rocks.
The Maroon Machine continue their unbeaten streak, and this victory will surely go down as one of the most exciting derbies in recent memory.
Scorers:
FNB Maties: Tries: Ezekiel Ngobeni (3), Gcina Puzi, Grand de Jager. Conversions: Christiaan Van Heerden Smith (3)
FNB UCT Ikeys: Tries: Duran Koevort, Xola Nyali, Sipho Dyonase. Conversions: Ntokozo Makhaza (3). Penalty: Ntokozo Makhaza.
Teams:
FNB Maties: 1 Prince Mulea, 2 Armand Combrink, 3 Herman Lubbe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 5 Carel Van Der Merwe, 6 Gcina Puzi, 7 Luan Botha, 8 Ethan Snyman, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (c), 10 Christiaan van Heerden Smith, 11 Grant De Jager, 12 CJ Marx, 13 Ryan Manuel, 14 Joel Leotlela, 15 Elridge Jack. Replacements: 16 CJ Erasmus, 17 Janlu Basson, 18 Jason Johnson, 19 Michael Chettoa, 20 Dante Burger, 21 Mckyle Volmoer, 22 Dylan Miller, 23 Jean-marc Trichard.
FNB UCT Ikeys: 1 Matthew Beckett, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 3 Zachary Porthen, 4 Enos Ndiao, 5 Danio Botha, 6 Siphomezo Dyonase, 7 Connor Jack Gordon, 8 Xola Nyali, 9 Asad Moos, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 12 Luke Burger, 13 Kian Davis, 14 Rethabile Louw, 15 Duran Rayn Koevort. Replacements: 16 Johan Lombard, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Bryan Le Roux, 19 Keenan Mills, 20 Aidan Norris, 21 Monray Daars, 22 Qhawe Soji, 23 Aden Da Costa.