Ntokozo Makhaza scored 32 points as UCT won the 2025 Varsity Cup final in Stellenbosch on Monday night to snap an 11-year title drought and spoil Maties’ 150th anniversary party.
The Ikeys winger scored two tries and kicked four conversions and four penalties as UCT beat Maties 44-21 in front of a packed Danie Craven Stadium to clinch their third Varsity Cup title.
The Ikeys marked their third consecutive final with their first win since 2014, consigning the five-time champion Maties to their first loss in a home final. The match was also the third meeting between Maties and UCT in the championship game.
Having lost the last two finals, it was third time lucky for the Ikeys, who delivered a clinical performance to deny Maties a fairy-tale win in their 150th anniversary year.
The first half was all about Makhaza, who scored two tries – including a point-of-origin stunner – and added two conversions and a penalty to give UCT a 19-11 lead at the break. Maties responded through a Ryan Manuel try and two penalties from Christiaan Van Heerden Smith.
After the break, Maties edged closer with a penalty, but Makhaza’s deadly boot kept Ikeys in control. At 22-14 with 20 minutes to go, Ikeys fullback Duran Koevort pounced on a Maties mistake to stretch the lead.
Although Maties’ Joel Leotlela offered a glimmer of hope with a try, Ikeys scrumhalf Monray Daars sealed the deal with a late five-pointer. Makhaza capped a sensational performance, scoring 30 points and tormenting Maties at every turn with his deadly boot.
Coach Robbie Fleck’s charges lifted their first Varsity Cup trophy since 2014, while Kabamba Floors’ side were left to rue missed chances.
SCORERSMaties: 21 (11)Tries: Ryan Manuel, Joel Leotlela.
Ikeys: 44 (19)Tries: Ntokozo Makhaza (2), Duran Koevort, Monray Daars.
Player that Rock: Keagan Blanckenberg (UCT Ikey)
TEAMSMaties: 15 Elridge Jack, 14 Joel Leotlela, 13 Ryan Manuel, 12 CJ Marx, 11 Grant De Jager, 10 Christiaan van Heerden Smith, 9 Ezekiel Ngobeni (c), 8 Ethan Snyman, 7 Luan Botha, 6 Fortune Mpofu, 5 Carel van der Merwe, 4 Zuko Poswa, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Armand Combrink, 1 Prince Mulea.
UCT Ikeys: 15 Duran Rayn Koevort, 14 Rethabile Louw, 13 Thomas Nel, 12 Luke Burger, 11 Ntokozo Makhaza, 10 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Monray Daars, 8 Xola Nyali, 7 Connor Jack Gordon, 6 Siphomezo Dyonase (c), 5 Danio Botha, 4 Enos Ndiao, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Keagan Blanckenberg, 1 Matthew Beckett.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
