The 2013 Ikeys Black Tie Dinner was held last Friday at Kelvin Grove – an outstanding event in this strong year for UCT rugby.

It was attended by 280 UCT old boys and friends of the club, who enjoyed Ikeys entertainment at its best while celebrating many reunions in a festive atmosphere.

Among the invited were acclaimed guests, but also many reunion tables, including the 1993 Ikeys, 1973 Ikeys and the bulk of the 1973 league winning second side – which is remarkable in that the 2013 Second team – 40 years on – have also won their league.

UCT’s MC Anton Taylor was in outrageous form and guided the highlights packed event with a daring humour and many Ikey flavoured anecdotes.

Q&A with Rob Brink and Dion O'Cuinnegain

A contingent of 1993 legends proceeded to take the stage for a highly entertaining and informative Q&A session. Tank Lanning grilled former Ikey and Springbok Rob Brink and former Ikey and Ireland International Dion O'Cuinneagain.

Both outdid one another sharing fond memories and war stories form their varsity rugby days and shared insights into changes in rugby from the amateur to the pro era and the importance of fully utilising and balancing rugby, academics and the lifelong friendships that a rugby experience such as UCT's can bring.
 

President's insight

Club President Dugald Macdonald shared his one of a kind UCT rugby insights – including a puzzled realisation that in SA we do in fact sit on stands at sports events. Thanks to Peter le Roux, UCT rugby supporters have had the pleasure of outstanding FormScaff stands to sit on in recent season – a big thanks to him.

A host of recent players was honoured for having played more than 50 caps for the Ikey Tigers and 1st team manager and all round club champion Lisa Gagiano was thanked officially for her outstanding contribution to UCT rugby ahead of her move to Bath with husband and coach JJ Gagiano.

At last it was the famous “Heads or Tails” game, brilliantly conducted by the Anton Taylor that had the guests on their feed.

Onward and upward to 2014

Thanks again to all the sponsors and contributors to the event. A big thank you also goes to all the guests who made the dinner so memorable.

Thanks to Zevenwacht for sponsoring table wine and Castle for sponsoring our welcome drinks! A special thanks you to our club sponsors FNB, Personal Trust, Steinhoff International, Puma, Sports Science Institute and the companies that joined us with corporate tables; Peninsula Beverages, Burger and Wallace, Veritas Wealth, Varsity Cup, Brandhouse Field Services, Civils 2000 and FormScaff.

We look forward to welcoming as many of you as possible to the Ikey Foundation and of course also to many of the matches of the Ikeys of 2014.

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