STORMERS legend Robbie Fleck has had a rather quiet return to coaching with the Ikey Tigers this year.
But while the ex-Stormers boss and midfielder had a stil entry, he finished off with a bang, by guiding his UCT team to Varsity Cup glory on Monday.
Ikeys beat the old foe Maties – the University of Stellenbosch’s team – in the ultimate Cape derby finale at Danie Craven Stadium on Monday night.
Even before the game, the 49-year-old was quoted on the Varsity Cup website of saying of the momentous occasion: “There’s no bigger game for our guys if they can’t host a final – is to play a final against Maties at the Danie Craven. That in itself, is obviously a huge excitement for the group.”
His players responded in a gevaarlike way, klapping the Stellenbosch manne 44-21 in their own backyard.
The victory was Ikeys’ first since 2014, as Fleck klapped fellow ex-Springbok Kabamba Floors’ team.
While UCT captain Keagan Blanckenberg won the Player that Rocks award, wing Ntokozo Makhaza scored an unbelievable 32 points on the night including two tries.
For Fleck the victory would have meant a lot, as he told the Behind the Ruck podcast at the start of his return to coaching: “It’s been an incredible experience to come back into the coaching fold in such an exciting and competitive environment.
“The Varsity Cup has a different energy, it’s a chance to develop young players, to see their growth and the hunger in their eyes. I’ve been lucky enough to work with some talented individuals who remind me of why I started coaching in the first place.”