The University of Cape Town (UCT) are gearing up for a titanic Varsity Cup opener against arch-rivals Stellenbosch on Monday, February 2 (kick-off 16:45), with head coach John Dobson declaring a ‘clean slate’ for his Ikey Tigers in 2009.
Sport 24 reports that the Ikeys, under the tutelage of Dobson and backline coach Robbie Fleck, thrilled friend and foe alike in 2008 by very nearly claiming the first-ever Varsity Cup title.
But the men from Cape Town – who lost just one match en route to topping the log after the league season – suffered a gut-wrenching final defeat to the self-same Maties; a result which everyone seems to be reminding them of ahead of the 2009 tournament.
Everyone except the UCT coaching staff that is…
“It’s a new beginning for us,” said Dobson. “A lot has been said and written about the team from last year, but, truth be told, we’re a very different side.
“For starters, we’ve lost the Forward of the Tournament (Herbie Mayosi) and the Back of the Tournament (James Martin) from last year, as they’re both too old this season, and then there’s also no Mat Turner, who is now playing for Bristol, and, of course, Kyle Brown is now an SA Sevens player.
“I’ve said it before, we’re a victim of our own success, so instead of a few tweaks Fleckie and I have had to do an extreme makeover but it’s up to this new team to lay down a marker early on in 2009 and carve out its own niché.”
Aside from being without Mayosi, Brown, Martin and Turner, hard-working lock Mike Ledwidge has a serious back injury, hooker JP Koster has joined Maties, scrumhalf Danie van der Merwe is playing for Boland and exciting young centre Tim Whitehead has a groin injury.
However, it is not all doom and gloom in Cape Town, with Dobson able to rely on the services of regular skipper JJ Gagiano – who is back in country after playing Test rugby for the US Eagles late last year – and also Western Province Currie Cup flyhalf Matt Rosslee.
To top it all off, they Ikeys also strengthened their coaching staff in the off-season, with Jake White and Bob Skinstad serving as technical advisors in 2009 and Professor Tim Noakes coming on board as the squad’s strategist.
“Guys like JJ and Matt are all a year older and wiser now,” said Dobson, who is also very excited at the prospect of seeing new signings Tiger Bax and Dane Johnson in action for the Tigers, as well as blooding some promising graduates from UCT’s Under-20 ranks.
“It’s hard to rebuild again,” he added, “but I think the success of the Varsity Cup and our progression to the final in 2008 has meant that the UCT production line and competition for places is very intense, which can only be a good thing.
“A big lesson we have taken from last year is that you literally have to plan ahead for more than just the one season… Whilst this year is obviously a big focus for us, we also have to keep an eye on 2010 at the same time.”
Looking ahead to the 2009 tournament, which many feel will be a close-run affair, Dobson said: “I think the opposition will watch us closely this year – no longer will we be considered a walking bonus point when the teams see UCT on the fixture list.
“I have no doubt that every team in the Varsity Cup has raised its game enormously and it will be a lot harder for us this year, but we’ve been working on some new stuff and I have every bit of confidence that we can cause some different surprises in 2009.
“2008 is something of the past. It was a great experience, and we, as coaches also learnt a helluva lot along the way. (But) we’ve got a new side and some new guys are desperate to show what they’re made of, which augurs well for this season.”
And speaking about Monday’s season-opener against the Maties, Dobson added: “To be honest, our only focus at this stage is on the first game. Yes, it happens to be a repeat of last year’s final, but we’re simply looking at it as our first game of a new season and, hopefully, another step in the direction in this new era for UCT rugby.”
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HOLY MOLY
I just opened this article on another site.
Did MorneN write this article??? 😈
Up the Tigers!!! 😆
Rom, rom , rom. Jammer manne. 👿
@PaarlBok (Comment 4) :
You should try Strepsils for that itchy throat. 😉
I heard a delightful story regarding Dobbo, he was asked to put a CD together for a giveaway at the OPA awards and he included a bunch of tactical notes and game plans regarding his work and by default gave it to a bunch of the oppositiion
Go Dobbo 😈 No wonder he is declaring a clean slate
Why are they called Ikeys?
@klempie (Comment 7) : Good question. I have no idea.
” The “Ikey” nickname originated in the 1910s originated as an anti-semitic epithet applied to UCT students by the students of Stellenbosch University, because of the supposed large number of Jewish students at UCT.”
Wikipedia – so – its bound to be contested
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 9) : In today’s socio-political climate I think that’s a great candidate for the HRC.
@klempie (Comment 10) : Yup.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 9) :
😯
Didnt know this.
The Slaapstad souties have no change against the Mighty Maroon Machine. Not even Jake White / Tim Noakes / Bobby Stinkstert will save them.
@Big Fish (Comment 12) : Neither did i – until i looked.
@PaarlBok (Comment 13) : 😆
@PaarlBok (Comment 13) : Lekka windgat neh!
@PaarlBok (Comment 13) :
We shall see – beware the Devil’s Peak Daredevils!
Its high time to right some wrongs and wrong some rights.
Damnit. A 9:05. Ten seconds slower than Tues. Do wet roads make a big difference Runningworld?
I tend to run faster when its raining.Just because its cooler.
@PJLD (Comment 19) : You’re not helping.
@klempie (Comment 18) : Yes. Adds about 10 seconds over 1.7km. 😉
@McLovin (Comment 21) : Oh good! 🙂
I’m outta here fellas.
@klempie (Comment 23) : auf wiedersehen.
Go UCT!!! Just cos THE LEGEND FLECKIE is on their coaching staff.
Think this thread have a Shark complot to it. Devide the Stormers posters all written over it. 😎
Would love to see where the Maties name comes from? Maybe had to do with the colour of the jersey maybe?
PaarlBok – Again Wikipedia
“Students are also nicknamed Maties. Some claim the term arises from their maroon rugby colors: a tamatie is the Afrikaans translation for tomato. It is more likely to come from the Afrikaans colloquialism matie (meaning “buddy” or “mate”) originally used diminutively by the students of the University of Cape Town’s precursor, the South African College.”
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 27) : Dankie Boet thought that would be the reason.
Just for the record. Paarl Gimmies is called BloedWorse playing in the same jersey for years. Then Paul Roos stole our jersey and one of the reason we still love to beat the Dosers. 😉
Boishaaiers is called GalPille because they turn sour when they lose.
Myself have a very interesting book. One written by AC Parker when WeePee were a 100 years old. Interesting facts, info and history from the 1800s when rugby started in SA.
Those of you interesting about the early days of rugby or the way it all started will find this one interesting from Maties site
http://student.sun.ac.za/rugby/club/1880to1955.asp