Ixias delighted with Bloem bragging rights
VARSITY CUP: It’s taken almost four years, but FNB CUT Ixias finally earned the bragging rights they’ve so coveted in Bloemfontein.
Monday evening’s 38-35 victory over FNB UFS Shimlas marked the first time the Ixias have beaten their neighbours, and at the same time took them to uncharted territory on the FNB Varsity Cup log.
“It was an important game for us. We knew we had a chance going into it but history was against us as we’ve never really come close to beating Shimlas,” CUT Ixias coach Pieter Bergh told rugby365.com.
Since their promotion from the Varsity Shield in 2015, CUT Ixias have suffered 0-57, 9-10, 13-22 and 33-69 reverses against Shimlas; but Bergh had a feeling things would be different this time around.
“We’re much improved from last year and are having a much better season. We gained confidence from our win against FNB UWC and picked up a few things in Shimlas that we could target. We executed those plans and got the result – I’m very delighted.”
Bergh, previously Griquas’ backline coach, was lured to the CUT Ixias camp late last year and his appointment has seemingly had the desired effect. Monday’s win was their third in 2018, as many as they managed in the previous four years combined, and takes them up to fifth place with an outside chance of making the playoffs.
“We haven’t really spoken about the playoffs. If anything, at the beginning of the season promotion and relegation, was more a discussion point. That happens next season, but the log from this year and next will be combined to determine that,” he added.
It is for that reason that Bergh and his coaching colleagues have preached the take-it-game-by-game mantra this season.
“When I came in as coach in November last year I felt there was a lot of pressure on the players and they were not really enjoying what they were doing,” he recalled.
“Winning is important, but as long as we improve every day and every match then results will come. So far, we have improved with every game and, as a result, we’re reaching our goals.
“After beating UWC, we improved again to beat Shimlas… next up we have Pukke and we’ll have to improve again to beat them, and if we can then beat UCT and reach a semifinal then we can celebrate. But for now, it’s important that we’re enjoying our rugby, earning the respect of people in Bloemfontein and putting smiles on faces,” he stated.
