Maties to host Ikeys in Varsity Cup final

The 2025 Varsity Cup final will showcase a heated Western Cape rivalry as Maties and UCT Ikeys battle for the crown in Stellenbosch next week.

In Monday night’s semi-finals, the Ikeys did the double on Tuks, beating the 2022 champions in a 48-35 shootout in Pretoria, while Maties eliminated the defending champion Shimlas with a 19-7 win at the rain-soaked Danie Craven Stadium.

The Ikeys won through to their third consecutive final where they’ll face five-time champions Maties making their first finals appearance since 2022. Next Monday’s final will mark the third meeting between Maties and UCT in the championship game – both previous clashes won by Maties – and the first since 2010.

Maties are unbeaten in five Varsity Cup finals in Stellenbosch.

Ikeys made a fast start in Pretoria as backs Thomas Nel (2) and Luke Burger combined for three of UCT’s five tries to clinch their second win at Tuks Stadium this season.

Chaos from the up and under, but it’s Grant De Jager who has the most gas to chase down the kick and score for the @MatiesSport Maroon Machine!#RugbyThatRocks pic.twitter.com/vah5MkVijo

— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup) April 7, 2025

Maties made the most of the conditions on their home patch to control the scoreboard through the boot of flyhalf Christiaan van Heerden Smith, winger Grant de Jager’s try converting a 9-7 half-time lead into a 19-7 victory and a place in the final.

Photo: Twitter/@VarsityCup