The maroon machine vs the dark horses: It’s going down in Stellies

THE Western Cape clash between the mighty Maties versus the Varsity Cup dark horses UCT Ikeys should go down to the wire at the Danie Craven Stadium, at 7pm today, considering these two team’s current form.

Maties have had the competition by a stranglehold in 2018 with the men in maroon unbeaten, with four wins and one draw, putting some of their rivals to the sword in the process. The Stellenbosch-based team will be ripe for a backlash though, when they host the Tigers after losing their lead against Wits last week. The Braamfontein boys snatched a 7-point try in the dying minutes of the game to claim a draw.

If Maties win the game, they will compound their log dominance and give themselves some breathing space from Wits and NWU. If Hawies Fourie’s men are defeated and Wits claim a likely bonus-point victory over CUT, Maties could lose their position at the top of the log.

UCT have been the surprise package this season. After a disappointing run last year, the pundits predicted relegation for UCT. But the Tigers have shown their mettle and now sit third on the table with three wins from five games, gaining their form from a powerful set of forwards.

A little earlier in the day, at 6:30pm, CUT will look to rain on Wits’s parade when they host the high-flying Jo’burgers on in Bloemfontein.

Wits have had their critics eating crow since their first fixture of the season. Wits have lost just once this tournament, to Shimlas, but otherwise have toppled the likes of UCT, UP-Tuks and most impressively drew to Maties, breaking the Stellenbosch side’s winning streak.