2024 FNB Varsity Cup player of the tournament and all-time leading points scorer, Ntokozo Makhaza, has had an electric start to the campaign that’s helped his side to third place in the FNB Varsity Cup standings after 4 rounds.
The 23-year-old Social Sciences student harbors hopes of one day playing for the Springboks and sees the competition as the perfect opportunity to help launch his career.
“My goal after the Varsity Cup like I said, my future aspirations as a rugby player is to play for the Springboks one, and also just to play professionally. So, the goal after this season is to hopefully get signed for a pro club and take it from there” said Makhaza.
Makhaza and the FNB UCT Ikeys came close to lifting last year’s title before they were beaten by FNB UFS Shimlas in last season's final. Now in his final year of studies, Makhaza believes they have the right blend of talent and experience to go all the way in 2025.
“We have more responsibility and I believe especially during the tough matches we’ll be more equipped to make the tough decisions. To dig deep in the tough times, to play for one another, knowing that we’ve lived out those values and that’s what I believe is the major difference between last year and this year.”
The Ikey Tigers home form has been brilliant so far, with three wins out of three while losing out to FNB CUT in their only match on the road.
Makhaza admitted the Ikey Tigers are looking to satisfy their appetite for FNB Varsity Cup silverware, “there is hunger to win it, we’ve fallen short in the past two years by a few points in both years, so I believe there’s a proper mixture of experience and youngsters who are really hungry”.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Kieryn Thompson
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