The FNB Varsity College Comets put in a clinical display to dispatch local rivals FNB UKZN 41-17 in their FNB Varsity Shield clash at the IIE’s Varsity College Durban North on Friday night.
FULL TIME and the Comets remain top of the log and are the kings of Durban after cruising to a comfortable win over the Impi.
— Varsity Shield (@varsityshield) March 21, 2025
FNB Varsity College 41-17 FNB UKZN#RugbyThatRocks brought to you by FNB, Steers and Suzuki pic.twitter.com/1MRtCVSJYO
Five first half tries followed by a further two in the second half gave the Comets another important bonus point that took them clear at the top of the Varsity Shield table with one match to play.
It was a fast start for the home side who took just three minutes to open the scoring off a line-out drive.
The UKZN side repelled the initial drive, but Jacques Marais was too powerful off the break and barged over to give the Comets a 5-0 lead.
The Comets crashed over for a second try on the twelve-minute mark when Marias bagged his second try in similar fashion.
Drico Marx added the conversion to give the Comets a 12-0 lead.
Just after the 20-minute mark, the Comets struck again. This time it was wing Allston Cedras who dived over in the corner after a sweeping move across the field from the VC backline.
Marx was unable to add the two points from the tee, however, the Comets had a healthy 17-0 lead at the first Suzuki strategy break.
Playing to their strengths the Comets went over for a fourth try on the half an hour mark when Jacques Marais rounded out a hat-trick of tries from another driving line-out.
Marx was on target with the conversion to give the Comets a 24-0 lead with eight minutes to play in the first half.
The Comets had dominance at scrum time and used that advantage to score their fifth try.
They turned over a UKZN scrum five metres short of the Impi try line and Juan Steyl tumbled over for another try seven minutes from the break.
On the stroke of halftime, UKZN opened their account with a well-worked try through wing Sikhakhane Ramatuka.
PERFECT START
It was the perfect start for the Comets after halftime when Mambo Mkhize barged over from close range.
Marx converted to give VC a 36-5 lead after 41 minutes.
The visitors hit back straight away when No 8 Tinotenda Mazhindu picked off the back of the scrum and showed good feet to score.
After 43 minutes the score was 36-10 to the Comets.
The visiting side then scored again when number 13 Jovawn Visagie sliced through the defence to score.
Siso France added the conversion to narrow the gap to 36-17 after 59 minutes.
The Comets then hit straight back when Edward Sigauke showed his speed down the touchline to score an important try.
This try gave the Comets a 41-17 lead heading into the final quarter of the match.
The final 20 minutes was played with intent, however both sides couldn’t breach the defence and that is how the match would end.
The FNB Varsity College Comets will face FNB WSU in their final match of the group phase next week at the IIE’s Varsity College in Durban North.
SUMMARY OF SCORE
FNB Varsity College 41
Tries: Jacques Marais x3, Allston Cedras, Juan Steyl, Mambo Mkhize, Edward Sigauke
Conversions: Drico Marx x3
FNB UKZN 17
Tries: Sikhakhane Ramatuka, Tinotenda Mazhindu, Jovawn Visagie
Conversions: Siso France