FNB Varsity Cup Final: NWU Eagles Edge Out UCT Ikey Tigers to be Crowned Champions

• The North West University Eagles are finally back to the top of the mountain of university rugby in South Africa
• They edged past the University of Cape Town Ikey Tigers 27-25 at the Fanie Du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom on Monday
• Satisfyingly, the Eagles' victory exorcised the demons of the 2014 final between the two teams, when Ikeys snatched the match from the jaws of defeat

The North West University Eagles claimed their second FNB Varsity Cup title with a hard-fought 27-25 victory over the University of Cape Town Ikey Tigers at the Fanie du Toit Sports Ground in Potchefstroom on Monday evening.

First-half tries from Vernon Paulo (2) and Tino Swanepoel, converted by Zinedine Robinson gave the Eagles the edge heading into halftime. Robinson also landed a penalty. Ntokozo Makhaza was successful with three penalty goals but it wasn’t enough as the home team went to the break with a 20-9 lead.

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Ikeys made their intent clear at the start of the second half, coming out all guns blazing and scoring a quick point-of-origin try through Reynhardt Crous to make it 20-18. The Eagles remained under pressure for much of the half with the visitors being relentless on attack.

Tino Swanepoel showed why he was voted as the FNB Player That Rocks in the semi-final against FNB Maties last week as he scored a try to get the Eagles out of a difficult position, making it 27-18.

Ikeys however continued with the pressure and a late try by Jac van der Walt made it a two-point game at 27-25. Had a few balls gone to hand and the ball bounced their way, it may have been a different outcome.

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In the end, the Eagles held their nerve to lift the coveted Varsity Cup trophy for the second time after they first did so back in 2016.

Eagles gain revenge

For the home team, it was revenge nine years in the making.

The Eagles, known as Pukke in 2014, were pipped at the death by Ikeys in what is considered the greatest comeback of all time in South African rugby history, if not in the sport worldwide.

Unfortunately, some of the players were also involved in a fight later in the night after the infamous encounter.