The FNB UCT Ikeys came up short in 2024 losing out to FNB UFS Shimlas in the dying moments of last season’s final in Bloemfontein. For the second year running, the Ikeys lost out by two points in the final – something Robbie Fleck’s side will be looking to correct this year.
UCT kickstart the 2025 season when they host the FNB NWU Eagles in the early kick off next Monday.
Fleck will take charge of the Ikey Tigers this season while Sipho Dyonase is set to lead the side on the field.
Having come agonizingly close in the last two editions of the FNB Varsity Cup, Ikeys have their sights set on banishing those bad memories by going all the way in 2025. Captain Dyonase revealed the team’s preparations have gone according to plan.
“The team, we’ve been peaking correctly and as pre-season has progressed, we just seem to be getting better and better almost each and every single week. It’s like we’re shifting gears – we’re becoming the team that we know we can be,” said Dyonase.
Losing finals can galvanize teams in the long term, making them stronger the following year. UCT will look to use the past two seasons as fuel for this year’s campaign, as their captain lifted the lid on the team’s expectations.
“We want to make sure that we win every game and obviously we want to make sure that we win the Varsity Cup. We have that expectation on ourselves, we’ve got the coaches – even the players, we’ve got that belief. And the beautiful things about the having that expectation to win Varsity Cup is that we’ve had to hold ourselves to a higher standard.”
The belief in the Ikeys camp is high after reaching back-to-back finals and there’s a real optimistic mood about their chances of getting their hands on the trophy this year. Dyonase told the Varsity Cup to expect an explosive, entertaining brand of rugby ahead of their tournament opener against Eagles.
“The approach for this year is to make sure that we’re fast, we’re fearless and we’re fierce in each and every single thing that we do.”
Provisional squad (subject to change):
Joshua Brendan Florence, Adam de Waal, Aden da Costa, Aden Norris, Alexander Vermeulen, Amahle Mazibuko, Andrew Good, Asad Moos, Bruce Campbell, Bruce Sherwood, Bryan Justin le Roux, Buhle Moyake, Cameron Whitson, Carl Geddie, Christopher Roy, Compion von Ludwig, Conor Jack Andre Gordon, Daniel Mattheus Johannes Botha, Devon Jearey, Duran Koevort, Enos Ndiao, Tristan Fransman, Isaiah Louw, Jack Andy Benade, Jamie Ricketts, Jared Hansen, Johan Lombard, John Kelly Okonkwo, Joshua Miller, Jovan Bekker, Keagan Jordan Blanckenberg, Keenan Mills, Kian Davis, Kyle Beley, Lezane Davis, Luca De Leo, Lukhanyiso Bomela, Lwandile Mshengu, Matthew Beckett, Matthew MacLeod Smith, Mhleli Khuzwayo, Michal Hofmeyr, Monray Daars, Nicholas van Schalkwyk, Ntokozo Makhaza, Olo Sopotela, Olunje Mehlomakulu, Qhawe Soji, Reinholdt Loots, Rethabile Louw, Shaywan Blanckenberg, Sinengomso Braweni, Siphiwosethu Zungu, Siphumezo Dyonase, Sisipo Mpaka, Sylvester Hoffman, Thomas Davis, Thomas De Lange, Thomas Nel, Tian Vorster, Tom Barnard, Tumelo Noah, Unaye Mndau, Xola Nyali, and Zachery Pothern.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Kieryn Thompson
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