'No talking needed' says Roux
Some coaches prefer long, dramatic pre-match team talks. Stellenbosch coach Chean Roux, for instance, is known to be able to motivate his players well before kick-off. But come Monday evening – when the Maties take on UCT in a top-of-the-log Varsity Cup clash – Roux will not have much to say.
Stellenbosch is expected to be abuzz with rugby fever on Monday when the back-to-back Varsity Cup champions clash with their Cape Town neighbours, FNB UCT, at the legendary Danie Craven Stadium – a graveyard of many rugby teams’ dreams over the years.
Roux, in his time as FNB Maties coach, has presided over many fine victories at this venue – and seen his team lift some impressive trophies – but the Stellenbosch mentor simply takes it all in his stride; as he will do come Monday evening at 8.30pm.
“I won’t have to say anything before kick-off,” said Roux to varsitycup.co.za.
“The history between these two teams is so great that I don’t think either Dobbo [UCT head coach John Dobson] or I will have to say much before the players,” added the Maties boss.
As a player, during his Maties days, Roux played many matches against the Ikeys and he added: “Things have certainly changed from my day… back then we used to beat UCT by 60 points and the only guy we had to worry about was Robbie Fleck!
“But, come Monday, you can bet your bottom dollar that the Ikeys will hit the ground running against us and we have to, and will, be ready for them. If either team is not firing come kick-off, they could be in for a hiding.”
The Maties certainly proved that last week when they smashed Tuks 64-17 in Stellenbosch, the Men in Maroon setting the tone from the word go as they scored one of their nine tries within the opening 30 seconds.
They have not tasted defeat in the Varsity Cup since last year’s final round of league action – when the FNB Tuks beat them at the Danie Craven Stadium – and, this season, they have won five matches in succession; all with a four-try bonus point.
Roux, however, is adamant that victories are more important than the four-try bonus – despite the fact they currently boast a full-house of 25 log points from their first five league matches.
“A victory is obviously our first priority come Monday,” he stressed. “I’ve always told my players to secure the win, first, before worrying about any bonus points. Two of our bonus points this season have come in injury-time (against UJ and Shimlas), so that certainly proves my point!
“Sure, it would be great to end the league season unbeaten, but, at the end of the day, it’s all about lifting the Varsity Cup trophy on March 29, so if that means losing a league game beforehand then so be it.
“Nobody ever wants to lose,” he added, “mainly because it disrupts one’s momentum and it makes you re-think your strategies, but often, in defeat, you learn a lot more (than in victory) and it also motivates the guys for the next week and helps keep them grounded.”
Win or lose, however, Roux is hoping to catch up with his opposite number, UCT coach John Dobson, after Monday’s match – “that’s the nice thing about the Varsity Cup – as our coaching doesn’t pay our bonds!” – and he is also very excited about the prospect of having the Ikey Tigers, the Maties’ Western Cape rivals, at the Danie Craven Stadium.
“Hopefully we will meet again, later in the tournament, but I have no doubt that Monday’s game will be a real spectacle,” said Roux.
“Having the top two teams playing in front of a full house, and live on TV at 8.30pm, is a great opportunity for the Varsity Cup, its sponsors and the crowd – we’re all looking forward to it here in Stellenbosch.”
Top of the log: How the Maties and UCT match up in the Varsity Cup.
