Shield table toppers earn Varsity Cup promotion
03/29/2025 04:34 AM
Round Seven of the Varsity Shield saw the Varsity College Comets top the log and secure their promotion into the Varsity Cup with a win against WSU, who picked up a crucial bonus point to move out of relegation danger.
Madibaz secured a semifinal place after a victory over CPUT and booked a spot in the Varsity Cup promotion-relegation match while UWC staged a stunning comeback to defeat the Gemmies in a nailbiter.
The UKZN Impi finished at the bottom of the log and will have to decide their fate in a relegation play-off against the top USSA side later in the year.
Varsity College 41-29 WSU
The visiting team, WSU looked like a team playing for their lives and began the game on fire, ending it that way too as they scored the first and last tries of the match.
The first try of the match came through Sibulele Manyube, which was converted by WSU No.10 Isiphe Mbini.
A few minutes later, the log leaders, Comets got their momentum going with a try scored by No.12 Mambo Mkhize, of which their flyhalf failed to make it a full seven-pointer, taking the score to 7-5 to WSU.
The Comets No.10 made amends for his miss earlier on and scored a try which he converted himself and later assisting a well worked try which he beautifully chip kicked safely into the hands of Allston Cedras.
In between, WSU scored a beautiful penalty by the flyhalf Mbini, as well as one more try from Comets Rober Everson, taking the half-time score to 24-10 in favour of the home team.
Juan Steyl also added his name on the scoreboard before Marx repeated another beautiful chip assist, this time to Cade Latham to finish off.
The Comets flyhalf scored final points for his side through a penalty kick of which he made no mistake.
The closing of the match saw WSU viciously fighting for their lives, scoring three incredible back-to-back tries through Azasakhe Phuwani, Sipho Hobosch and Ahlule Zokoza.
Scorers:
For Varsity College:
Tries: Mkhize, Marx, Everson, Cedras, Steyl, Latham.
Cons: Marx 4
Pen: Marx
For WSU:
Tries: Sibulele, Azasakhe, Sipho, Ahlule
Cons: Hartnick 2, Mbini
Player that Rocks: Frederick Marx (Varsity College)
Varsity College: 15 Chandler Green, 14 Allston Cedras, 13 MJ Schoeman, 12 Mambo Mkhize, 11 Edward Sigauke, 10 Frederick Marx, 9 Abande Mthembu, 8 Juan Orde Steyl, 7 Enzo van Niekerk, 6 Sinelifa Ncwana, 5 Reece Curtin, 4 Robert Everson, 3 Donell Francis, 2 Jacques Marais, 1 Kabelo Matabola.
Replacements: 16 Thabo Njapha, 17 Daniel van Huizen, 18 Mbuso Kweyama, 19 Laython Nel, 20 Jonathan Horak, 21 Khumo-etsile Nkutha, 22 Christian Els, 23 Cade Latham
WSU: 15 Beon Hartnick, 14 Ahlule Zokoza, 13 Axola Mtalana, 12 Asivile Ngcawa, 11 Asisipho Jim, 10 Isiphe Mbini, 9 Thembela Folo, 8 Sipho Hobosch, 7 Qhayiya Makhalima, 6 Pernell Mandes, 5 Siseko Mani, 4 Luvo Zindela, 3 Yoyisa Mahobe, 2 Sibulele Manyube, 1 Yanda Ndamase.
Replacements: 16 N/A, 17 Mihlali Nohoyeka, 18 Buhlebenkosi Kedama, 19 Azasakhe Phuwani, 20 Khanya Solani, 21 Asenam Mniki, 22 Bulelani Nondlwana, 23 Sandisiwe Mkwayimba.
