Varsity Cup 2023: Eagles plays host to Ikeys in final
The University of Cape Town or Ikeys is hopeful to build on its ongoing improvements during the last few matches as it gears up for its clash with the North-West University Eagles in the FNB Varsity Cup final at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom tonight.
The Ikeys want to secure its third title while the Eagles are determined to secure its second win.
However, it will not be easy for the visitors as the men from Potchefstroom have been in scintillating form. The Eagles has lost only one match in the tournament.
But, Tom Dawson-Squibb, the Ikeys coach, says this might count against them.
“In 2021 we were undefeated and finished on top of the log, but we fell short in the final. Our loss against the Eagles earlier this year has taught us a lesson. We now know what to expect and how physical they are.”
He believes that his team has gained a lot of confidence after their semi-final victory over the Shimlas (University of the Free State). Ikeys scored 9 tries to claim a 65-30 victory.
“We are excited to play. We feel like we are finding our feet and establishing our identity now. After each game we feel that we can do even better. It is nice to go into a final this way. However, we are the underdogs. We have lost three matches and ended third on the log. We prefer it this way, it takes a lot of pressure off us.”
Burger van der Westhuizen, the Eagles coach, says that Ikeys has been a good team since the first round of the tournament. “We had to go to war to win our semi-final. Ikeys ran rampant against the Shimlas. Which one is better leading up to the final? We do not know.”
The Eagles beat Maties (Stellenbosch University) 19-10 in the semi-final to book its place in the final.
In the sixth round (27 March 2023) the Eagles travelled to Cape Town for the team’s fixture against the Ikeys at the Green Mile. The NWU beat the Capetonians, 42-26, after going into the halftime break with a four point deficit – 10-14.
Van der Westhuizen said that the team is not dwelling on the outcome of the prior clash. “We are only focusing on our preparation and we have worked hard this week,” he said.
In the Eagles’ victory over Maties, it was especially the Eagles fullback, Tino Swanepoel, who proved to be too hot to handle. He scored two tries, one of which was a memorable solo-try. He received the ball from a Maties-kick and sliced through the Maroon Machine’s defence to score a try without as much as a touch from the opponents.
Dawson-Squibb says that his side will not be too bothered by these counter attack threats. “I bet Eddie Jones thought his side had Cheslin Kolbe covered in the 2019 World Cup Final, but a special player remains special.”
Before the final kicks off, the Central University of Technology (Ixias) will defend its place in the Varsity Cup. The side finished 7th on the log and now has to beat the Nelson Mandela University (Madibaz) to ensure it is not relegated to the Varsity Shield. The Madibaz has the chance to be promoted to the Cup division after it finished 2nd on the Shield log.
Should the Ixias lose, the team will join the University of Pretoria (Tuks) in the Varsity Shield. Tuks was relegated as it ended at the bottom of the log without being able to secure a single win. Tuks has been replaced by the University of Western Cape, which finished top of its log and won the Shield final against the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on 13 April 2023.
The Eagles Young Guns will also play in a match ahead of the final as it tackles the Wits Young Guns in a semi-final.
Fixtures for the day:
Eagles Young Guns vs. Wits Young Guns (13:00)
Ixias vs. Madibaz (15:30)
Eagles vs. Ikeys (19:00)
All of the action can be followed on SuperSport. Alternatively the threestreamsmedia social media accounts will also be providing updates.
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