FNB Varsity College delivered a statement performance in Durban North as they overwhelmed FNB CPUT 52–17 to book their place in the FNB Varsity Shield final.
The Comets were first on the board in the 13th minute when Jacques Marais dotted down off a line-out driving maul, showcasing his trademark power. Drico Marx added the extras from the touchline. Just two minutes later, a deliberate knockdown by Maseti saw the referee go to the TMO, who ruled a probable try. A penalty try was awarded, and FNB Varsity College doubled their lead to 14–0.
The momentum didn’t stop there. In the 18th minute, Edward Siguake tore down the touchline before offloading to captain Mthembu, who finished the move with style. Marx slotted the conversion to extend the lead to 21–0. That scoreline remained unchanged at half-time, with the Comets firmly in control after three unanswered tries.
The second half began just as the first ended, with FNB VC applying pressure. Former Northwood 1st team captain Enzo Van Niekerk added his name to the scoresheet in the 50th minute with a blistering run, and Marx converted once more to make it 28–0.
CPUT finally found a response in the 58th minute through Gerald Ghambi, who powered over the line. However, the missed conversion from Maseti left them trailing 28–5. Varsity College quickly hit back, and in the 62nd minute, Marx capitalized on a forward-dominated attack to score. Although his conversion hit the upright, the Comets led 33–5.
Jacques Marais wasn’t done yet. In the 73rd minute, he secured his brace off another powerful driving maul. Marx added the extras as the scoreboard stretched to 40–5.
Though the game was slipping away, the Blue Wave continued to fight. Clyde Frieslaar produced a determined finish in the 75th minute, crashing over with two defenders on him. The successful conversion made it 40–12. Just minutes later, Iwaan Bloys added another for CPUT, blazing down the wing, although the conversion was missed.
FNB Varsity College answered back in the 78th minute when fullback Chandler Green danced through defenders to score. Marx missed the conversion, but it was 45–17 heading into added time.
In the final act of the match, eighthman Juan Steyl finished things off with a pick-and-go try and converted it himself to seal the emphatic 52–17 victory.
Scorers:
FNB Varsity College: Tries: Jacques Marais (3), Juan Orde Steyl, Abande Mthembu, Frederick Marx, Chandler Green, Penalty Try. Conversions: Frederick Marx (5).
FNB CPUT: Tries: Iwaan Bloys, Gerald Junior Ghambi, Clyde Frieslaar. Conversions: Carick Ethan Kustoor.
Teams:
FNB Varsity College: 1 Okuhlekodwa Meyiwa, 2 Jacques Marais, 3 Mbuso Kweyama, 4 Robert Everson, 5 Garren Muller, 6 Khumo-etsile Nkutha, 7 Enzo van Niekerk, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 9 Abande Mthembu (c), 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Edward Sigauke, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 13 MJ Scoeman, 14 Allston Cedras, 15 Chandler Green. Replacements: 16 Thabo Njapha, 17 Donell Francis, 18 Daniel Van Huizen, 19 Reece Curtin, 20 Jonathan Horak, 21 Christian Els, 22 Cade Latham, 23 Sivuyiswe Mpendu.
FNB CPUT: 1 Nkosephayo Sbusiso Ngema, 2 Kyle Ahrendse,3 Keiran Delaan Naidoo (c ), 4 Nqaba Mveliso Nkonyeni, 5 Keanan Benjamin Odwa Rolosi, 6 Preveen Rahul Padayachiey, 7 Philasande Ngcobo, 8 Denely Krid Adams, 9 Jayson January, 10 Oyintando Honour Maseti, 11 Iwaan Bloys, 12 Timothy Matthew Shortless, 13 Jacquin Farrol Jacobus, 14 Noah Matthew Pekeur Keano, 15 Keewan Titus. Replacements: 16 Andrew John Williams, 17 Gerald Junior Ghambi, 18 Ashton Maloy, 19 Simphiwe Gift Thabede, 20 Lathitha Sange Ratsibe, 21 Clyde Frieslaar, 22 Keewan Titus, 23 Carick Ethan Kustoor.