Wells: 'What I said to Helen Zille'
It is a question that has been on everyone's lips - what did UCT loosehead prop Ashley Wells say to Western Cape Premier Helen Zille when he received his Varsity Cup Player that Rocks Award from her on Monday, February 22?
"She actually apologised to me for having had a post-match drink before handing out the award to me," said Wells to varsitycup.co.za.
"I told her not to worry," he laughed, "but I did ask her if she could try and sort out the rates I'm paying in Kirstenhof at present... they're a bit high, you know!"
Wells, who is in his third year of FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International rugby, is a key member of the John Dobson-coached Ikey Tigers team.
The former Wynberg Boys' High pupil finds himself at the forefront of a well-drilled FNB UCT tight five, who - despite being written off before the season - have acquitted themselves well against their more powerful opponents across the country.
"On a personal level, it's been an up-and-down season for me," admitted the UCT No.1 (pictured above, with Helen Zille).
"I was very honoured to get that Man of the Match Award against TUT, and it was down to all the guys around me, but there's been a few scrums this year that haven't gone too well and the refs seem to punish you continuously if you make one mistake."
Wells and co. certainly had their moments against the Maties this past Monday - a game UCT lost 17-23 at the Danie Craven Stadium - but the Ikeys are very determined to make up for that disappointment this coming week against FNB Tuks (kick-off 6.30pm).
"We were bummed after we lost to Stellenbosch, but we've had a good week (since then). Dobbo [coach John Dobson] gave us some time off (this week) and we're all feeling refreshed and raring to go against Tuks," said Wells.
"We know it won't be easy, as they will be playing for pride against us, but this is make-or-break for us and we know that we have to win, and win well, to have a chance of hosting a home semifinal.
"This is my last Varsity Cup campaign and I really, really want to go out with a bang - by winning the tournament - and it starts this Monday against Tuks, before, hopefully, going on to bigger and better things in the semifinals and final."
Having been part of two previous Varsity Cup campaigns for UCT, Wells is better qualified than most players to comment on the Ikeys Class of 2010.
Few teams can boast the class, and match-winning abilities, of the 2008 squad - when UCT were able to call upon the likes of international Sevens stars Kyle Brown and Mat Turner, to name just two key men - but Wells believes in the current crop of Ikey Tigers players.
He said: "It's great to be part of this exciting team. We're a tight-knit squad, and all very good mates, but the most pleasing thing for me is how the younger guys have just stepped in this season and played like senior pros.
"My propping partner Grant Kemp, for instance, has moved from loosehead prop to tighthead prop and done well - despite his youth. Chris Heiberg, is my age, but it's his first Varsity Cup after coming back from a serious injury - (but) these guys have done incredibly well, all of which adds to the spirit and ability of this side.
"At the same time, however, the game against Stellenbosch was a big learning curve," he added.
"We didn't play very well, yet we pushed the best team in the competition at their home ground. The fact is, we're not the black sheep in this competition anymore and we will do our best to make it count come the business-end."
* Monday's UCT v Tuks Varsity Cup match - at Groote Schuur's Green Mile - will get underway at 6.30pm.
The Ikeys need to win the match in order to qualify for a home semifinal, if, of course, the result goes their way in the previous Round Seven match between Pukke and Maties in Potchefstroom. (UCT need Pukke to lose, or win without a four-try bonus point - and then they will need to beat Tuks, either with or without a bonus point - depending on the Pukke result - to finish second on the log.)
Beforehand, UCT's Koshuis team, the Tornadoes, will take on Stellenbosch residence team, Dagbreek, in a must-win Steinhoff Koshuisrugby Championships fixture. (Kick-off 4.45pm.)
By Howard Kahn