Nothing sweeter than Ikeys' triumph over old foes Maties at Danie Craven Stadium

THE sand had run out on the clock. The UCT Ikey Tigers were set to be crowned the inaugural Varsity Cup champions. They were about to erase years of suffering inflicted by old foes Stellenbosch University, aka Maties.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

The fact that the coronation was happening at Maties' citadel, the Danie Craven Stadium, before their passionate home supporters all clad in the famous maroon added significant gravitas.

There was just one play left: an Ikeys scrum on their tryline, with the visitors leading 10-9.

The ball is shifted to the base for Ikeys captain and No 8 JJ Gagiano — who would later earn global fame by scoring a try for the USA Eagles against Australia three years on at the 2011 Rugby World Cup = picks up.

But instead of running the ball over the touchline, Gagiano turns left and takes contact, and the Maties forwards pile in.

The turnover is generated, and Maties recycle the ball quickly and move it through the backline’s hands to unmarked wing Morné Jooste, who has a free run in to send the Danie Craven Stadium into a state of hysteria.