Fleck: Ikeys attack peaking ahead of Maties face-off

INTERVIEW: The UCT Ikeys will persist with their expansive approach when they go hunting for a first Varsity Cup title in 11 years at the Danie Craven Stadium next Monday.

For the first time since 2010, Maties and UCT will meet in a Varsity Cup final – and the stakes couldn’t be higher for the two Western Cape powerhouses.

Maties haven’t won the Varsity Cup since 2019, while UCT last lifted the trophy in 2014.

Come full-time next Monday, one of these long droughts will come to an end.

Kabamba Floors’ charges will start the match as favourites.

Maties won six matches across the 2025 league phase to finish at the top of the standings and went on to beat Shimlas 19-7 in the semifinals.

That’s not to suggest that the Ikeys, who have employed a contrasting style of play, have no chance in the decider.

After a slow start to the competition, UCT have racked up 40 or more points in their last three fixtures.

They certainly made a statement when they beat a powerful and pragmatic Tuks side 48-35 in the semi-final staged in Pretoria.

“We beat Tuks at UCT earlier this season, but we knew it would be a different story up on the highveld, with their maul and kicking game presenting a massive challenge,” Ikeys coach Robbie Fleck told @Rugby365com.

“Tuks didn’t disappoint, and in the end, I’m thrilled to come away with a win.

“The result has earned us a place in the final, but it’s also our first win in Pretoria, and that’s special.”

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Commenting on UCT’s slow start to the tournament, Fleck explained that a decision was taken to stage fewer preseason games for the sake of player welfare and performance.

“I think we’re starting to see the benefit of that decision now,” he said.

“It’s a long season for the guys, many of whom are semi-professional. We decided to give them an extra week or so off at the start of the year, and then try to build momentum as the Varsity Cup campaign progressed.

“We’re confident that things are coming together now, and that we’re peaking at the right time.”

UCT suffered a 19-23 defeat to CUT in Bloemfontein in round two, and went on to lose 31-24 to Maties at the Danie Craven Stadium in round five.

In spite of those losses, the Ikeys coach believes that his charges are in a good space.

“We finished the league with a five-from-seven record, but we don’t feel like we’ve actually lost yet.

“In the matches against CUT and Maties, we felt that we were the better side on the day. Soft moments let us down, and we’ve taken those lessons onboard.”

For the third consecutive season, UCT will feature in a Varsity Cup final away from home.

“UCT can’t host a final due to the lights at the venue, so we knew that we would have to travel to Stellenbosch or Bloemfontein for this year’s decider,” Fleck said.

“It’s something we are happy to do, and the way things have turned out, we’ll have the first Cape derby in the final since 2010.

“The best teams in the competition have qualified for the final. Maties deserve to be there after topping the log, and we also feel that we’ve done enough to earn our place.

“I’m sure it will be a fantastic occasion, with a packed crowd watching two rivals who employ contrasting styles of play.”

In last year’s final, Shimlas fired at the death to beat the Ikeys 45-42.

In 2023, the NWU Eagles edged UCT 27-25 in Potchefstroom to clinch the title.

When asked if anything had changed regarding their style and intent since last season, Fleck delivered an emphatic response.

“Our style aligns with our culture and values. We can’t change that now, just because we’re in a final.”

The former Stormers boss went on to explain why this Ikeys team is a lot more balanced than in previous seasons.

“To clarify, we have done a lot of work across all areas of our game, and I’ve been pleased with the improvements we’ve made in our pack.

“You need a good platform to play attacking rugby, and our scrum and line-out have been phenomenal this year. Credit must go to Josh Strauss, who has worked hard to boost our pack.

“We feel that we’re ready to meet Maties in those departments.”

Maties will start the game as favourites, and yet some will expect UCT to prove a point after losing the last two finals.

The drive to end a decade-long trophy drought won’t, however, result in a more conservative approach in the final.

“Our players have some experience of playing in finals, and it can help to know that you’ve been there before,” said Fleck.

“As far as the hype around the final is concerned, we can’t burn too much energy on that.

“We’ll need calm heads to prevail, and that’s the message that we’ll pass onto the players as we get closer to the game next Monday.

“We’re thrilled to be in the final, but we are committed to playing our way.

“It’s a big ask to go to the Danie Craven Stadium, but we’ve made a big thing about embracing the challenge and enjoying the buildup, as well as the game itself.”

@rugby365com