Congratulations to Ikey Tigers

Dear colleagues and students

It is with immense pride and heartfelt joy that I extend my warmest congratulations to the UCT Ikey Tigers for their resounding 44–21 triumph over Stellenbosch University’s Maties in the 2025 FNB Varsity Cup final. This victory – on our rivals’ home ground at a packed Danie Craven Stadium – was a moment of extraordinary significance for our rugby team and the entire University of Cape Town (UCT) community.

This win marks our third Varsity Cup crown – a proud addition to the titles first earned in 2011 and 2014. After two narrow and heartbreaking defeats in the 2023 and 2024 finals, coach Robbie Fleck and his dedicated team arrived in Stellenbosch with purpose and passion. The team spirit, teamwork and unity were among the key ingredients that resulted in this victory.

Special recognition must go to Keagan Blackenberg, whose performance on the night earned him the FNB Player That Rocks title for the final. We also celebrate the exceptional performance of Ntokozo Makhaza, whose brilliance – scoring 32 points through a brace of tries and flawless kicking – deservedly earned him both the Overall Player That Rocks and FNB Back That Rocks accolades.

Congratulations also go to the UCT Young Guns, who finished as runners-up in the Under-20 final; and to our UCT Cheerleaders, who secured third place in the #CheerleadersThatRock competition.

At UCT, we are committed not only to academic excellence but to the holistic development of our students. We believe in nurturing talent, character, resilience and leadership – whether in the classroom, on the sports field or within our broader society. The achievements of our Ikey Tigers are a powerful demonstration of what it means to be truly excellent in all spheres of university life.

This victory does more than add a trophy to our cabinet – it cements UCT’s place as one of South Africa’s leading institutions and affirms our broader goal of being the best.

We commend the Ikey Tigers management and every single member of the team’s support staff. This victory is the result of collective effort, and the work done off-the-field played a crucial role.

Thank you to the UCT community – students, staff, alumni and loyal supporters. Your unwavering support and belief in our teams fuel their drive to succeed, and your presence in the stands has been truly felt. Victories like this belong to all of us.

As we celebrate this outstanding achievement, a journey like this can be best explained through the words of David Maralack, the chair of UCT Sports Council: “You have made the entire UCT community immensely proud, and your achievement will be remembered as another milestone in the history of the sporting tradition at UCT.”

Well done, Ikeys. You have written yourselves into the proud history of our university – and you have done so with heart, honour and excellence.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

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