There was agony for FNB Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium on Monday evening (14 April), as they suffered a 21-44 defeat at the hands of arch rivals FNB UCT Ikey Tigers in the final of the 2025 FNB Varsity Cup.
The visitors spoiled the Maties’ 150th anniversary party and ended their 11-year drought in front of a packed stadium in Stellenbosch.
Having lost the last two finals, it was third time lucky for the Cape side, who delivered a clinical performance to deny Maties a fairytale win in their sesquicentennial year. Despite their pedigree and home advantage, the Maroon Machine were undone by costly errors and a relentless Ikeys attack.
The opening half was all about Ikeys winger Ntokozo Makhaza, who scored two tries – including a point-of-origin stunner – and added two conversions and a penalty to give UCT an 11-19 lead at the break. Maties responded with a try by Ryan Manuel and two penalties from Christiaan van Heerden-Smith.
After the break, Maties edged closer with a penalty, but Makhaza’s deadly boot kept Ikeys in control. At 14-22, with 20 minutes to go, the game was still in the balance, until Ikeys fullback Duran Koevort pounced on a Maties mistake to stretch the lead.
Although Maties’ Joel Leotlela offered a glimmer of hope with a try, Ikeys scrumhalf Monray Daars sealed the deal with a late five-pointer. Makhaza capped a sensational performance, scoring 32 points and tormenting Maties with his deadly boot.
UCT coach Robbie Fleck’s charges lifted their first FNB Varsity Cup trophy since 2014, while Kabamba Floors’ side were left to rue missed chances in a match which they never quite controlled.
