Ikey Tigers looking to repeat round robin win over Tuks in FNB Varsity Cup semi-final

FNB UCT Ikeys once again, find themselves in familiar territory – a FNB Varsity Cup semi-final. The men from Cape Town narrowly missed out on hosting a home semi-final by a single point but they’ll travel to FNB UP-Tuks in Monday’s early kick-off.

It’s the third successive season the Ikey Tigers have reached the last four of the FNB Varsity Cup with the team going on to reach the final in each of the last two seasons. The final hurdle where UCT has come up short in the last two seasons after losing out to FNB NWU Eagles in 2023 and FNB UFS-Shimlas last year.

“We’re very excited! We’re ready for it because each and every single game we prepare well and that puts us in a position to thrive” said UCT captain Sipho Dyonase.

UCT got the better of Tuks by seven-points in a 36-29 win when the sides squared off in round three, but Dyonase and his team know Monday’s encounter will be a completely different ball game.

“We wouldn’t say we have mental edge over them just because we beat them in the round robin. We’re just going to make sure that we go out there. Make sure we’re firing on all cylinders, and the biggest thing is to make sure we execute our gameplan and showcase the true Ikeys style” said the UCT captain.

Last season’s beaten finalists were comfortable 49-31 winners away to FNB UJ as the round robin phase wrapped up. The Ikeys skipper believes the experience of playing in the Highveld will stand his side in good stead ahead of Monday’s semi-final.

“I think it was important for a lot of the younger guys, who it was their first time going up to Gauteng. The altitude is different, the air’s thinner – sometimes you struggle to breathe. I think it’s always important to get to experience it and so I think that will definitely help us”.

Starting XV:

Matthew Beckett, Keagan Blanckenberg (captain), Zachary Porthen, Enos Ndiao, Danio Botha, Siphomeza Dyonase, Connor Jack Gordon, Xola Nyali, Monray Daars, Alex Vermeulen, Ntokozo Makhaza, Luke Burger, Thomas Nel, Rethabile Louw, and Duran Rayn Koevort.

Replacements: Johan Lombard, Mhleli Khuzwayo, J.K. Okonkwo, Keenan Mills, Aden Da Costa, Josh Miller, Lezane Davis, and Aidan Norris.

By: Kieryn Thompson.