Eye-catching Dobson eyeing final
FNB Maties hooker Matthew Dobson has attracted plenty of plaudits in the 2010 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, thanks to some impressive performances for the rampant Stellenbosch side.
A great example of the modern-day No.2, Dobson (no relation to Ikeys coach John) added to this year’s array of solid performances with a Man-of-the-Match showing in last Monday’s semifinal win over the fnb NWU-Pukke.
The burly, yet mobile front-rower crossed the whitewash twice to help Stellenbosch seal a date with FNB UCT in Monday’s Varsity Cup Final – the second all-Cape final in just three seasons.
A reward for his clinical semifinal performance is that he will be wearing the famed Varsity Cup Pink Shorts during the final (pictured); something that is likely to make him easier to target for the opposition – though Dobson will not be shying away from the action.
“It’s going to be a bit of a daunting experience playing in the pink shorts for the final, but I am up for the challenge,” he told varsitycup.co.za ahead of Monday’s 2010 finale in Coetzenburg.
The powerful hooker is in his second year at the centre of the Maties scrum, having been a bench player in 2008, so he has plenty of experience facing his Cape rivals. “It’s our big derby. It’s always tough against UCT, it’s always a different ball game.”
In their previous league game against UCT, Chean Roux’s Maties ground out a 23-17 win, but – according to Dobson – the Stellenbosch coach was not happy with the manner in which the game was won; something that has been discussed within the camp.
“The coach wasn’t really happy with the performance, but I think at the end of the day a win is a win, and we are confident we can do it again,” revealed the Maties hooker.
Come Monday, the Maties will need to make sure they are at their best against the unpredictable Ikey Tigers. And, with the game being held at the historic Danie Craven Stadium, they will have as much support as they need.
“It’s insane,” said Dobson. “The guys were saying that we’re going to have a capacity crowd… that’s quite a lot of students that are going to be there!”
On a personal level, Dobson will be lifted by the crowd and will no doubt be using that “lift” to put in a performance that could just catch the eye of some talent scouts across the country.
“Ja, I am hoping to get a [professional] contract somewhere, but I will wait and see what happens. I finish at Stellenbosch at the end of this year, so if I get an offer then great.
“I am hoping to go somewhere where I can get some game time”, the hooker added.
Whatever happens in the final and beyond, however, Dobson has nothing but praise for the Varsity Cup.
“I think it’s great – it’s giving a lot of younger players a chance to showcase themselves,” he enthused.
“Guys who maybe missed out on Craven Week or Under-21 level are now getting a chance to gain some exposure and showcase themselves to provincial unions.”
Dobson is one such player – but there are players on both sides who would not disgrace any provincial sides in South Africa. First, however, there is the small matter of silverware – so don’t you go anywhere come 6.30pm on Monday night!
By Keith Moore
Final team line-ups: Maties change one | UCT unchanged.
