The Cape Derby never fails to deliver, and this year’s clash between Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Maties and University of Cape Town (UCT) Ikey Tigers was no exception. In a game filled with stunning tries, big tackles and a heart stopping finish, it was Maties who emerged victorious with a last second try, edging out Ikeys 31-24 in an unforgettable Varsity Cup showdown.
The match got off to a fiery start, with left wing Joel Leotlela making an electric catch for Maties before Ikeys surged forward in attack. The Ikeys attempted to break through Maties’ defensive wall, but the Maroon Machine stood firm. Nine minutes in, UCT struck first with a try, which was successfully converted to take an early 7-0 lead. Maties responded in the seventeenth minute as right lock Carel Van Der Merwe powered through to score a try, bringing the game level at 7-7.
The first half continued at a breakneck pace, with Leotlela scoring in the twenty-sixth minute to make it 10-10, only for Ikeys to respond almost instantly, regaining their lead at 17-10. With just minutes left in the half, Maties captain and scrum half, Ezekiel Ngobeni, muscled over the line after a tough scrum, and Christiaan Van Heerden Smith’s conversion made it 17-17. However, Ikeys weren’t done yet, scoring before the break to lead 24-17 at halftime.
The second half began just as intensely, with Ngobeni scoring yet again to bring Maties level at 24-24. The Maroon Machine defense stood firm, charging down Ikeys’ attacking efforts and keeping them at bay. Drama struck in the eighteenth minute, as Ngobeni suffered a slight hit to the head while diving for the try line, forcing him off the field and leaving the stadium momentarily stunned.
With the game locked at 24-24, the final seven minutes were breathtaking. Maties relentlessly pushed forward, while Ikeys scrambled to maintain their defensive wall. Then, with just ten seconds left on the clock, right wing Grant De Jager delivered the moment of the match, scoring the winning try to seal Maties 31-24 victory. His celebration? Looking at the sky and giving th, just as he did when he first stepped onto the field.
The significance of the win wasn’t lost on the players. Jason Johnson, Maties’ loose-head prop, reflected on the momentous occasion: “All I can say is that the game was definitely one to remember considering that we are celebrating 150 years of Maties Rugby. The boys showed heart to win in the way we did, and we couldn’t have done it without the support we received from the fans.”
Scrum-half Mckyle Volmoer acknowledged the team’s room for improvement: “I would say we didn’t have the best technical performance as a team, but the system that was put into place got us over the line. I think this result was vital for us heading into the tail end of the tournament, you know, and we keep working and trying to be better every week.”
Captain Ezekiel Ngobeni summed up the emotion of the win: “Playing against Ikeys is always a special occasion; being able to get the win brings an even greater sense of jubilation into the camp, and we give all glory to God. Closing off the game in the dying seconds is testament to the highly competitive game it was and the fight the boys showed.” Ngobeni added, “We’re grateful for the result and look forward to University of Pretoria Tuks being another opportunity where we can put up a proper performance and just execute on things we work on in the coming week.”
For Ngobeni, the game had added significance, as he faced several former teammates from the SA Junior Springboks squad. When asked about playing against familiar faces, he said: “This game was definitely exciting, being able to finally play against some of my old teammates, as you know a little bit of what one brings to the game and the bit of banter that comes with it.”
With the Cape Derby title secured, Maties now set their sights on Tuks, while Ikeys will look to bounce back. But one thing is certain, this game will be talked about for months to come.
By Kezia Daniels
