'Maroon Machine' make their point again
On Monday FNB Maties displayed all the qualities which champion sports teams do, not least one trying to win the FNB Varsity Cup for a record fifth time.
Coach Hawies Fourie’s charges may have been coming off a bye week, but showed their class virtually from the kick-off by racing into a 10-0 lead.
However, with their flyhalf Jordan Chait struggling with his radar and FNB UFS Shimlas finding their feet in the contest, patience was also required by the men from Stellenbosch.
“It was really tough in the beginning,” Maties captain Ernst van Rhyn told varsitycup.co.za. “Shimlas did really well in the first half as they kept on coming for us and as a result, we didn’t get the points we wanted.”
That said, by the final hooter Maties got what they came for, the five log points which confirmed they will finish top ahead of UP-Tuks – and so much more. In the closing stages, their relentlessness was rewarded with five tries – three of them long-range 7-pointers – which not only sealed their 59-14 win, but sent out a strong message.
The first was to Shimlas themselves… that if they do meet again in two weeks time in Stellenbosch, as expected, their A game probably won’t be enough. Secondly, to either FNB UP-Tuks or FNB NWU Pukke (whoever seals a place in the final), that this Maties squad are determined to go back-to-back.
Van Rhyn was loathe to make such definitive statements but gave an insight into the mindset within the ‘Maroon Machine’.
“I must say that it’s [going seven from seven] has been a great team effort; but not just the 23 that play in a match but the extended squad at home too. Also, the coaches and management – we all want to do something special.”
The Maties captain did, though, caution against resting on their laurels by looking ahead to a home semifinal and possible final already. After all, they still have to complete the round-robin phase at Danie Craven Stadium first.
“For now, all we can do is regroup and then next week we will take on UWC. It might be their first season in Varsity Cup, but we won’t underestimate them. They showed against UJ what they can do.”
