UCT Ikeys once again find themselves in familiar territory – a Varsity Cup semi-final.

The men from Cape Town narrowly missed out on hosting a home semi-final by a single point, but they’ll travel to UP-Tuks in Monday’s first playoff match.

Kick-off is at 16:45.

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It’s the third successive season the Ikey Tigers have reached the last four of the Varsity Cup with the team going on to reach the final in each of the last two seasons.

The final hurdle where UCT has come up short in the last two seasons after losing out to NWU Eagles in 2023 and UFS-Shimlas last year.

“We’re very excited! We’re ready for it because each and every single game we prepare well and that puts us in a position to thrive” said UCT captain Sipho Dyonase.

UCT got the better of Tuks by seven-points in a 36-29 win when the sides squared off in Round 3, but Dyonase and his team know Monday’s encounter will be a completely different ball game.

“We wouldn’t say we have mental edge over them just because we beat them in the round robin. We’re just going to make sure that we go out there. Make sure we’re firing on all cylinders, and the biggest thing is to make sure we execute our gameplan and showcase the true Ikeys style” said the UCT captain.

Round robin phase

Last season’s beaten finalists were comfortable 49-31 winners away to UJ as the round robin phase wrapped up.

The Ikeys skipper believes the experience of playing in the highveld will stand his side in good stead in Monday’s semi-final.

“I think it was important for a lot of the younger guys, who it was their first time going up to Gauteng.

“The altitude is different, the air’s thinner – sometimes you struggle to breathe. I think it’s always important to get to experience it and so I think that will definitely help us”.

The winner of the match will face the winner of Monday’s second semi-final between Maties and Shimlas in the final on Monday, 14 April.

Which two sides will contest the 2025 Varsity Cup final?

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Src: TheSouthAfrican.com - https://rugga.co.za/varsity-cup/preview-uct-ikeys-looking-to-book-varsity-cup-final-spot/