Rugby
Ikeys break their 11-year title drought─── MORGAN PIEK 07:51 Tue, 15 Apr 2025
The University of Cape Town Ikeys crashed Stellenbosch University’s 150th anniversary party dramatically on Monday night, clinching the 2025 Varsity Cup title with a dominant 44–21 victory at the Danie Craven Stadium.
The team from the Mother City ended an 11-year wait for silverware, earning their third Varsity Cup crown in front of a packed and expectant Maties crowd. After back-to-back final defeats in recent years, the Ikeys finally got it right – and in style.
Despite playing at home and boasting an impressive track record, the Maties were overwhelmed by a clinical and determined UCT outfit. Costly mistakes and an unrelenting Ikeys attack left the Maroon Machine with no way back.
Ntokozo Makhaza. Photo: Luigi Bennett/ASEM Engage
Ikeys winger Ntokozo Makhaza was the star of the show, scoring two brilliant tries – one a breathtaking point-of-origin effort – and adding two conversions and a penalty to hand UCT a 19–11 half-time lead. Maties hit back with a try from Ryan Manuel and two penalties from the boot of Christiaan van Heerden Smith.
After the break, the hosts narrowed the gap with another penalty, but Makhaza’s boot kept the scoreboard ticking for the visitors. With the score at 22–14 and just 20 minutes left, the game was still wide open – until fullback Duran Koevort capitalised on a Maties blunder to stretch the lead.
A brace for Ntokozo Makhaza! The @ikeytigers retake the lead and all their points thus far have come from that man Makhaza. What a player. #NxtLevel #RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/cipmEpVyWA
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 14, 2025
Joel Leotlela offered a flicker of hope for Stellenbosch with a late try, but Ikeys scrumhalf Monray Daars slammed the door shut with a final five-pointer. Makhaza finished with a jaw-dropping 32 points to his name in the final, tormenting the Maties from start to finish.
Robbie Fleck’s chargers lifted their first Varsity Cup trophy since 2014, while Kabamba Floors and his team were left to reflect on a night where things just didn’t click – despite the occasion.
Monray Daars. Photo: Luigi Bennett/ASEM Engage
For another outstanding campaign, Makhaza was named the Player of the Tournament for a second year running.
Scorers:
Maties: Tries - Ryan Manuel, Joel Leotlela Conv. – Christiaan van Heerden Smith Pen. – Van Heerden Smith (3)
Ikeys: Tries - Ntokozo Makhaza (2), Duran Koevort, Monray Daars Conv. – Makhaza 4 Pen. – Makhaza (4)
