The FNB Varsity College Comets squad and staff celebrate their 41-29 victory over FNB WSU.
Image: GERHARD DURAAN
It was a game to remember - the FNB Varsity College Comets claimed their victory against the FNB Walter Sisulu University (WSU).
Walking away with a 41-29 win last Thursday, March 27, saw the Durban side finish top of the FNB Varsity Shield log and earn them promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup for 2026.
The Comets put in a measured performance against a spirited WSU team which saw them become the first university from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to play in the Varsity Cup.
The visiting team struck first through a strong driving maul as hooker Sibulele Manyube went over for the first points in the eighth minute of the match.
Flyhalf Isiphe Mbini added the conversion to give WSU a 7-0 lead. It took the home side 12 minutes to breach the WSU line as Mambo Mkhize charged over from close range to get the Comets on the board.
Drico Marx was unable to convert and the visitors held a slender 7-5 lead.
On the stroke of the Suzuki Strategy break Varsity College went over for their second try.
Chandler Green made a good break and a patient build-up in the 22-metre area eventually saw Drico Marx crash over from a few metres out. He added the conversion from a tight angle to give the Comets a 12-7 lead after 20 minutes.
WSU struck back with a penalty just after the strategy break when Mbini slotted the three-pointer to narrow the gap to 12-10.
Just after 31 minutes, the pressure from the Comets told as they scored their third try. Robert Everson barged over from close range to score. Marx was unable to convert the try but the Comets had some breathing space with a 17-10 lead with nine minutes left in the first half.
Comets flyhalf Marx was influential in the fourth try when he put in a chip that fell perfectly for wing Allston Cedras to score. Marx was able to add another conversion to give VC a 24-10 lead just before the half-time break. The Comets would take that lead into half-time. It took the Comets 15 minutes to get the first points of the second. Number eight Juan Steyl broke down the blindside off the back of a close scrum to score.
Marx conversion took the Comets lead to 31-10. After 62 minutes the VC Comets breached the WSU defence again as Marx continued his influential display with a cross kick that fell to Cade Latham who fought his way over the line. Marx added the extra two points to give the Comets a 38-10 lead. Flyhalf Marx added to his tally with a penalty that took VC into a 41-10 lead with 12 minutes to play.
WSU then hit back with their second try through Azasakhe Phuwani and Beon Hartnick converted to narrow the gap slightly to 41-17.
The visitors continued to chip away and scored with a minute to go when number eight Sipho Hobosch scored.
Fullback Hartnick added the conversion to see the gap closed to 41-24. It was the visitors who had the final say in the match as Ahlule Zokoza scored in the corner. The match finished with 41-29 to the Comets which saw them promoted to the FNB Varsity Cup for 2026.