By Kaleigh de Jager and Anica Hattingh
Maties’ Varsity Cup campaign came to a disappointing end after a semi-final defeat to North-West University (NWU) on Monday, 6 April.
The match, which took place on NWU’s home ground, started with a fierce line of defence from the FNB NWU Eagles. The possibility of adding a tally to the scoreboard was a moment away when Janlu Basson (1) saw the gap and scored the first try of the match for Stellenbosch University (SU).
Even so, the match continued with NWU delivering a composed performance, applying early pressure through set-piece dominance and capitalising on turnovers. This allowed them to dictate territory and tempo, pinning Maties in their own half and setting the tone from the starting whistle while maintaining control throughout the game.
Maties struggled to gain momentum, with missed opportunities and handling errors limiting their ability to respond effectively. NWU’s disciplined defence and dominant scrum kept Maties on the back foot, preventing them from capitalising on key moments. Although Maties showed determination in the second half, they were unable to close the gap, ultimately falling short of a place in the final.
The match, which ended in a harrowing defeat of 50–10 for the Maties team, sparked disappointment and sympathy among some supporters. “I’m one of their biggest fans, so seeing them lose was devastating. It felt like they were giving up and not giving it their all. I know NWU’s scrum was phenomenal, but Maties should have found a way to work around it,” said Cecilia Niemand, a first-year SU student studying BCom (Management Science).
While the result marks a significant loss for Maties, the team’s growth throughout the tournament remains a positive takeaway for supporters. With five wins from seven matches in the FNB Varsity Cup, the Maroon Machine consistently showed determination and unity, pushing themselves to the final whistle in every game.
Captain Ezekiel Ngobeni emphasised the squad’s commitment to learning from their mistakes and building on their progress – an approach that positions Maties as a strong contender for future campaigns.
Very well written !!