INTERVIEW: Robbie Fleck has praised Ntokozo Makhaza and his senior contingent within the wake of UCT’s drought-ending victory within the Varsity Cup.
UCT thrashed Maties 44-21 in Stellenbosch on Monday to win the Varsity Cup title for the primary time since 2014.
The outcome capped a protracted and at instances painful journey for the UCT gamers and coaches.
After shedding 25-27 to the NWU Eagles within the 2023 Ultimate and 42-45 to Shimlas in final yr’s decider, the Ikeys produced a masterclass to hammer the 2025 title favourites on their dwelling patch.
It was a very vital event for Makhaza, who had missed a late conversion within the 2024 Ultimate in Bloemfontein.
The winger completed the sport on the Danie Craven Stadium with two tries in addition to an eight-from-eight file from the kicking tee.
And within the wake of that 32-point efficiency, Makhaza was formally acknowledged because the 2025 participant of the event.
“It’s loopy that that man hasn’t been picked up but [by a major professional team],” Fleck instructed @Rugby365com.
“He’s scored greater than 100 factors over the previous three seasons, and within the Ultimate in opposition to Maties, he slotted eight from eight. He’s only a factors machine.
“Ntokozo, [UCT captain] Sipho Dyonase, Duran Koevort and some others have performed in remaining after remaining with out getting over the road.
“They actually stood tall on the DC on Monday, and it was nice to see these stalwarts lifting the trophy on the finish.”
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🏆 That champion feeling…
As soon as an Ikey, at all times a Tiger 🐅🎆#NxtLevel #RugbyThatRocks@ikeytigers pic.twitter.com/i7zwTxIGb0
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 15, 2025
The ultimate scoreline could have been sudden, however the Ikeys have been constructing in direction of this fixture – and such a efficiency – for months.
The long-term planning by the teaching workers, in addition to the execution of the gamers, contributed to an emphatic 23-point victory.
“In case you look again on the previous two finals, we arrived for these deciders battered and bruised. On this event, we have been so much more energizing,” mentioned Fleck.
“Firstly of the yr, we determined to present the gamers an additional couple of weeks off. We knew {that a} lighter pre-season schedule would compromise our match sharpness in early phases of the Varsity Cup, however we additionally bellieved that we might be more energizing on the again finish of the event.”
Within the lead-up to the Ultimate, Maties gained the toss and opted to play into the wind. That call performed into the Ikeys’ palms, because the guests raced into an early lead.
“It was at all times the plan to raise the tempo and depth from minute one, and it’s for that purpose that we wished the wind at our backs for the primary half,” mentioned Fleck.
“In case you look again at our league fixture in opposition to Maties, we employed an identical method at the beginning – however Maties by no means go away, and we have been responsible of letting them again into the sport [Maties eventually won 31-24].
“With that in thoughts, we spoke so much about sustaining our depth for 80 minutes within the Ultimate.
“After the nice begin, we anticipated a response from Maties, which they supplied.
“This time, nonetheless, our tempo by no means dropped. Our bench got here into the sport, and we took it to a different stage.
“We stored on constructing, and I actually consider that we ran out of time. The scoreline may have been greater if the sport went on for a bit longer.
“It’s by no means simple to play on the DC, and Maties by no means hand over.” he added. “That efficiency within the remaining was extra about us than the opposition – we have been in such a very good house.”
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The strive that sealed the deal and secured the FNB Varsity Cup title for the @ikeytigers! Heartbreak for the @MatiesSport Maroon Machine.
Third time fortunate 🏆🙌🏽🎊#NxtLevel #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/wamgOcZKZ0
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 15, 2025
Not for the primary time, Fleck steered credit score to his administration crew in addition to former coach Tom Dawson-Squibb, who stepped down after the loss to Shimlas within the 2024 decider.
“This teaching workers has been collectively for the previous 4 or 5 years – with myself alongside the journey for 3 – and the group is tight.
“I’ve to present credit score to Tom for creating this setting, and to our chairman Greg Fury for giving us all of the help.
“A lot onerous work has gone into this marketing campaign, and it’s simply nice to see the membership reaping the rewards, when it comes to the senior facet and our U20s [who went down 3-18 to Wits in the Young Guns Final].”
When pushed to discuss his personal expertise at Varsity Cup stage, the previous Stormers boss instructed that the Ikeys have reignited his ardour for teaching.
“I’ve totally loved my three years with the membership, and can in all probability do yet another.
“When Tom first approached me to affix the set-up, I had misplaced a little bit of my ardour for teaching.
“On the time, I used to be joyful to play extra of a strategic position within the background.
“I additionally noticed it as a chance to shut the loop, on condition that I began my teaching journey with [current Stormers coach] John Dobson and UCT again within the day.
“However this has been a very particular expertise, and I’m grateful to be concerned.”
