The adrenaline, excitement and expectation for a win was high in spectators, coaches, students, and most importantly – both teams’ players. After an amazing season of ample losses and wins on both the Maties (who won 8 games) and Ikeys’ (who won 7) sides, both teams were hopeful that, on the night that counted the most, they would walk away the final victors. However, this was not the home victory the Maroon Machine expected because after a hard fought battle the Ikey Tigers walked away with their new title, “FNB Varsity Cup 2025 Champions!”
The Ikey Tigers played hard and fast in the first half of the game as Ntokozo Makhaza, Ikey’s winger, ensured that UCT walked off the field at halftime with quite a lead. Two tries – with one being a point-of-origin – two conversions and a penalty, all scored by Makhaza, placed UCT in a stunning 19-11 lead. This seemed to urge Matie-spectators to cheer louder, jump higher and encourage stronger. The ‘gees’ that roared through the stadium seemingly brought back new life into the Maties team, as they fought harder in the second half but the Ikey Tigers fought harder. With continued attempts for tries, penalties and breakthroughs in the defence line – the idea of a Maties win grew more and more distant by the second.
Joel Leotlela, left wing for the FNB Maties, offered a short glimmer of hope for the home team, scored a late try, but Ikeys scrumhalf, Monray Daars, hit the final nail in the coffin with a five-pointer. A collection of gasps and roaring cheers was the soundtrack for a 44-21 win to the UCT Ikey Tigers!
Leotlela shared that although there had not been a win in favour of the Maroon Machine on the field, there was still a greater lesson to learn, “A rugby game is always unpredictable regardless of the circumstances, I always try to not see victory as winning or losing but rather improving my craft game by game.”
With support from many, including Ezekiel Ngobeni, the FNB Maties captain, one can be sure that the men in maroon will take the loss in stride. A lesson that Ngobeni is hoping to teach his team and other aspiring athletes, is one that speaks to embracing the journey one is on as it shapes them for something greater ahead.
By Anica Hattingh
