Maties eSports Club recently placed first in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) eSports championship.
This is according to Gerben Visser, one of the team captains for Maties eSports Club.
The USSA eSports championship was hosted over two days between 1 to 2 October at the University of Cape Town (UCT), said Visser.
Pictured above from left to right are Stanley Shikwambi, chairperson of Maties eSports Club, Ridwaan Kotwal, Clash Royale player for the club, John Walenga, captain of the FIFA 22 team for the club, Andiswa Zwelibanzi, a secretary for University Sports South Africa, Gerben Visser, captain of the Rocket League team for the club, Mikael Pretorius, Rocket League player for the club, Dian van Rooyen, Rocket League player for the club, and Yaseen Gangat, the club’s manager. PHOTO: Supplied/Gerben Visser
The Maties club was victorious against the eight other universities that competed at the tournament, stated Mikael Pretorius, a Maties eSports Club member who plays Rocket League.
The nine universities that competed were Stellenbosch University, The Mangosuthu University of Technology, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Durban University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Tshwane University of Technology, North-West University, Sol Plaatjie University, and UCT, according to John Walenga, captain of the FIFA 22 team for Maties eSports Club.
“It really feels amazing to have come this far as a player and a team – to be able to win the USSA eSports title,” said Visser.
FIFA 22, Rocket League and Clash Royale were the three game titles played at the competition, according to Visser, who competed in the Rocket League competition as team captain.
The tournament
The group stage and qualification matches took place on the first day and the finals took place on the second day, said Visser.
For Rocket League, the Maties eSports Club managed to win the final 4-2 against UCT, according to the African Competitive Gaming League website. The club placed first ahead of Wits and UCT, respectively, for the Clash Royale competition. Maties placed fourth in the FIFA 22 championship, with CPUT taking the win.
“For Rocket League, there was a round-robin for seeding for the single elimination bracket,” stated Visser. “FIFA and Clash Royale had group qualification for playoffs.”
“[My teammates] helped me a lot throughout the year to become better in my gameplay and they were supportive outside of the gaming world as well,” stated Mikael Pretorius, Maties eSports Club member who plays Rocket League. PHOTO: Liam Abercrombie
‘A big learning curve’
“It felt great to win the championship because we got to represent the university at the highest level doing something every boy enjoys,” said Walenga.
The win for Maties was important because it helps the university gain exposure to the eSports community, he added.
“This year has been a big learning curve for the club since we’re still trying to get ourselves established and properly structured,” said Visser.
According to Visser, the club is on an upward trajectory.
“I am impressed with how ambitious the club has been so far,” stated Walenga. “I also encourage all students – male and female – to join the eSports club, because you never know what opportunities it may unlock for you.”
Getting in the zone
“We trained a lot during the season but extra preparation went in for USSA,” stated Visser.
To be good at the games, one needs to put a considerable amount of hours into training, said Walenga.
“The opposing teams were a good match, especially the University of Cape Town. They beat us earlier this year but I think the hours we put in throughout the year practicing gave us the upper hand this time,” stated Mikael Pretorius, a Maties eSports Club member who plays Rocket League. PHOTO: Supplied/Gerben Visser
“It depends on your opponents but I think at least 5 to 10 hours a week has to go into training with your teammates and finding new strategies,” stated Pretorius. “This time shouldn’t be ‘casual gaming’, but rather proper training [for professional matches].”
The different teams spent many hours training for the championships, according to Visser.
“Lifting the trophy is both a great achievement but also a relief – knowing that our hard work has paid dividends. The USSA title is something we’ll hold onto very proudly,” he added.