Making friends the UCT way
This week retired Springbok centre Robbie Fleck looks back at the FNB Varsity Cup Festival in George – a successful jaunt for his table-topping Ikeys Tigers side, who are superbly-placed ahead of next Monday’s semifinals.
What a great few days in George!
Yes, I guess things were made easier by the Ikey Tigers ending the Easter Weekend unbeaten, but I truly believe this entire competition, and the weekend, in particular, have been a huge success.
The crowd in George wasn’t huge, but the organisation was superb and it was great having all the ‘koshuise’ lending their support and helping create a nice student-type vibe from Thursday right through to Monday.
The UCT guys loved the few days in George – the rugby was good, but the guys were able to enjoy themselves off the field, too. Of course, regular readers of this column will relate to what I’m saying here – our intention throughout the Varsity Cup has been for on-the-field and off-field success; thus far we have achieved both.
But the tournament is by no means over. Yes, we are on top of the log – also scoring the most points and tries and conceding the fewest points and tries – but we need to continue playing our exciting and entertaining brand; the results will continue to take care of themselves.
This ‘UCT brand’ has become a much talked about feature of the Varsity Cup. The Ikeys have always been renowned for giving the ball some air and running from everywhere, but these players have bought into the coaches’ vision, making it very easy for us coaches to work on improving their game.
We made a lot of new friends in George with this approach of ours and I’ve had plenty friends – from within rugby and beyond – ring us up congratulating us on this style of play and our approach to the game. It is winning people over and creating a cult following in and around Cape Town – the players can feel very proud of what they have achieved thus far.
Of course, we want to take it a step further and hoist that cup in two weeks’ time. For South African rugby’s sake I hope we do – it will prove that playing the game like this is not only a joy to watch, but also a successful brand of rugby, which would only benefit South African rugby on the whole.
I guess, as the top side in the tournament and with a home semi-final just days away now, the expectations will be high on this young side. In the past, UCT sides have failed to live up to expectations, but this team is different in that respect and with the exception of our opening-game loss to NWU-Pukke, the confidence shown by these youngsters has been staggering.
For us, it’s not about chasing results. It’s about playing the game the way we want and to the best of our abilities – the results (as we have seen in our last six games) will take care of themselves.
Pukke, our semi-final opponents, are a tough outfit and we certainly will not be taking them for granted on Monday. We have done a lot of analysis over the past few days and we have made a few changes, which, we hope, will catch them off-guard come Monday afternoon. We have some tricks up our sleeves and we aim to unleash a few of those against Matthew Proudfoot’s well-drilled side.
A 2.30pm kick-off might not suit everyone next week, but the guys at UCT have already been hard at work behind the scenes to create the perfect atmosphere come Monday. We are pulling out all the stops to create the perfect day – on and off the field!
Beer will be on sale after the match, so we’re hoping for a big crowd to stick around afterwards. But we’re also looking to involve all the locals in the area – like Forries on Newlands Avenue – to host some before parties and allow everyone to get together for a quick pre-match ‘dop’ before making their way to the ‘Green Mile’ to watch us in action against Pukke.
Tell your boss you need the afternoon off, nip into Forries for a quick pub lunch with some mates and see you at UCT for some fantastic varsity rugby afterwards.
Something special is brewing at the UCTRFC – and with this Varsity Cup tournament on a whole – and you’d be foolish to miss out on being part of it; especially with the possibility of an all-Cape final next Monday.
My Super 14 predictions for this week:
HURRICANES v CRUSADERS:
Saturday, March 28 – 08.35am
Wellington
This Crusaders side could well emulate the ‘Class of 2002’ by going unbeaten through this competition. However, if there is one game that looms as a potential banana skin, it’s this one.
The Hurricanes have not been at their best this year, but they are at home and they have Ma’a Nonu back in tow – he has been outstanding this season.
The Crusaders, on the other hand, missed Stephen Brett last week against the Waratahs, but their forwards always seem to give their backs the perfect platform – no matter who is playing at 9, 10 or 12.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Crusaders’ win over the Waratahs was a perfect advertisement for the ELVs – in terms of how to play an eighty-minute match. I can’t see them slipping on this banana skin – Crusaders to win.
WARATAHS v CHEETAHS:
Saturday, March 28 – 10.45am
Sydney
You have to feel for the Cheetahs. They should, and could, have beaten the Brumbies last week – it was their best chance against a sub-standard ACT side.
They are a bit fragile on defence though and they will find themselves up against a very determined ‘Tahs team – a better side than the Brumbies – smarting from their klap against the Crusaders.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Waratahs to win – by many.
FORCE v STORMERS:
Saturday, March 28 – 1pm
Perth
This is shaping up as the game of the weekend; as two very well-coached sides with plenty to prove battle it out!
I thought the Stormers were very unlucky against the Blues – they deserved to win that match. The Stormers’ try was a well-worked effort – Tony Brown’s neat little switch to Conrad Jantjes came after a good build-up, as they kept ball in hand and backed their runners.
However, looking back, they gifted the Blues their first try through two ill-directed high bombs in succession. You should never kick at the Blues’ back three – if you do, don’t get it wrong.
The Stormers owe them one after last year’s spanking the Aussies dished out at Newlands, but the men from Perth are in good form at present, as illustrated by away wins over the Blues and the Highlanders in successive weeks and their success in South Africa, too.
They have a very good backline, with Matt Giteau and Ryan Cross in superb form, and they’re using the width of the pitch nicely.
Fleckie’s prediction: My heart says Stormers and it’s dictating my thinking at the moment – Stormers to edge the Force in Perth.
CHIEFS v HIGHLANDERS:
Saturday, March 29 – 06.30am
Hamilton
The Chiefs actually impressed with their forward effort against the Bulls last weekend, while the Highlanders have not been good this year.
Fleckie’s prediction: This could be the battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon in New Zealand and one cannot look further than the Chiefs taking this one – especially at home.
BLUES v BULLS:
Saturday, March 29 – 08.35am
Auckland
How much worse can it get for the Bulls? Well, after heavy losses to the Reds and the Chiefs, they now travel to Auckland to take on the star-studded Blues, who have Nick Evans fit again at No.10.
As I said last week, the Bulls will battle because they have not bought into the ELVs and there seems to be some dissension in the defending champions’ ranks. It’s hard to tell just what is going on in the team, but it does not seem like the senior players and the coaching staff are gelling too well.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Blues were not at their best against the Stormers, but they still managed to come away with a win, which says a lot for them as a team. However, with Evans back in the mix it could get messy for the Bulls.
SHARKS v REDS:
Saturday, March 29 – 5pm
Durban
The Reds were pretty lucky last week and I was bitterly disappointed for the Lions, who very nearly rewarded my faith with a win.
The Sharks will be hungry after a week’s bye and they need a good performance this weekend before embarking on the overseas leg of their Super 14 season.
Fleckie’s prediction: The Sharks – by a few.
Before I sign off this week – last but not least; a special word to a close mate of mine and a former team-mate, to boot. To Robbie Kempson, best of luck with the Cape Epic – you’re doing a great thing and I sincerely hope you finish the race with your arse intact!
Rob and his partner Craig Lorden have trained very hard over the past few months, so much so that it’s taken over their lives. Yes, Rob’s looking pretty lean (not bad for a prop!), but it’s for a great cause and my thoughts are with you both during the next few days. If you can survive this, you can survive anything…
Chat soon,
Robbie Fleck
* Email Fleckie at sport365@365digital.co.za with your Super 14 picks for this week!
* Fleckie’s ‘Last Word’ will appear weekly on sport365.co.za – and also on rugby365.com and iafrica.com – so log on next week for more Super 14 views and predictions.
