It's a century old rivalry - one that led to the iconic naming of teams as "Ikeys" and "Maties"; and one that has never wained in passion nor support. At times it has found us feeling inspired and zealous, at others crushed and brokenhearted.
Stellenbosch Rugby has reigned supreme over the last few years, what with the Maties having won all three Varsity Cup Championships as well as the last six Intervarsities. The Ikeys faithful though continued to invest in blue paint, for they knew that a storm was brewing - and what a blue&white storm it is.
We at UCT rejoiced earlier this year when our Ikey Tigers became the first team since the Maties to lift the Varsity Cup trophy; but there was still something missing - a much craved victory over our maroon neighbours. The last time UCT pulled off a win against our rooi rivals was in a 2008 Varsity Cup match in George, with 2004 being the last time we claimed the official Intervarsity Trophy.
On Saturday May 14 2011, we reclaimed that trophy - proving to ourselves and the rest of the rugby world, that we really are the best university rugby team in the country. Playing in the heart of Maties Rugby at the Danie Craven Stadium, the Ikey Tigers fought back from a half-time score of 19-9 to end the game victorious at 19-28! The lone blue & white try was scored by Therlow Pietersen, with all other Ikey points coming off the boot of flyhalf supreme Demetri Catrakilis.
The Intervarsity match is part of the WP Super League. Maties are still top of the log with 28 points; UCT sit third on the log with 19 points having played one less game. Both teams can still qualify for the 2011 National Club Championships in Stellenbosch later this year. Maties face title Club Champs contenders Hamiltons next, with UCT 'traveling' to Constantia to take on False Bay.
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