Newlands to speed up Intervarsity fixture?
FNB UCT head coach John Dobson is backing the smooth and wide Newlands playing surface to help deliver an entertaining Intervarsity clash between his side, UCT, and Stellenbosch on Saturday afternoon.
“We’re happy to play them at Newlands as it’s a great surface, which should help make it an entertaining game, as both teams do like to move the ball around,” said Dobson to varsitycup.co.za.
“Maties are a phenomenal club with incredible depth and it’s a privilege for us to have such a great traditional fixture with them and compete as closely as we do.
“Intervarsity is a tradition that stretches back well over a hundred years and it would be good if Saturday added to its whole legend in terms of rugby and the occasion,” he added.
“It’s a pity we cannot crowd Newlands with students, what with the Super 14 game up afterwards, but it should still be fun and a great experience for all 44 players – especially our UCT guys.”
Last year’s WP Super League games between the defending champion Maties and the Ikeys were two high-scoring affairs, whilst there was plenty of drama in their two Varsity Cup encounters (one league match; one final) in 2008 and also this year’s Varsity Cup league clash which the Maties won 12-10 at the Green Mile.
“We enjoy playing against the Maties – it’s a great and old rivalry and recently these fixtures seem to be thrillers,” said the Ikeys coach.
“We were helluva disappointed to lose to them in the Varsity Cup (this year)… but these are probably slightly different teams now with a few over 25s drifting into the sides now that there are no age-restrictions (like in the Varsity Cup).”
Saturday’s match between the Maties (first place on the WP Super League log) and the Ikeys (third place) kicks-off at 4pm, with the Stormers then hosting the Force at 7.10pm in a Super 14 fixture.
Tickets – for both matches – have been on sale all week and can still be bought from the Newlands Rugby Stadium Box office and through Computicket, Shoprite Checkers and Checkers Hyperstores countrywide. (The Intervarsity match will also be televised, albeit delayed, on SuperSport.)
CLICK HERE for the Ikeys and Maties starting XVs for Saturday!
