Committed Comets out to continue winning momentum
Following on from their nail-biting win over FNB SPU last week, the FNB Varsity College Comets continue their FNB Varsity Shield campaign with a trip to Alice to face the FNB UFH Blues on Thursday evening.
A first trip to Kimberley last Friday ended in victory for Varsity College, however they were made to work hard by the competition newbies who raced out to a 21-0 lead at a stage. It was an impressive fightback from Jeremy McLaren's men who currently occupy third place on the table after three rounds.
This week's clash will be the first trip to Alice for the Comets, a challenge that coach McLaren is embracing.
"It is always nice going to a new place and I don't think Alice will be any different for us," McLaren said. "It's going to be a really tough encounter because Fort Hare have been on the road for three weeks and this will be their first home game of the year.
"I think they will definitely lift their energy and bring it to us despite them being bottom of the log at the moment.
"We'll have to go and enjoy the moment and do what we need to do in a place that we haven't gone before."
Over the past three weeks the Comets have faced a number of challenges on the field and have been made to work hard in all three matches they have played. Coach McLaren believes that there is something special in this group of players.
"We have had to fight really hard for one another and we had to defend on our line to the final whistle last week.
"The guys have grown a lot closer off the field which is one of the most important things for me. In general it's a good group of guys and there is quite a lot of care for one another.
"One of the biggest strides we have taken is that care off the field and how we treat and interact with each other. I'm very proud of them and it's great group of young men."
Looking ahead to this Thursday's match the Comets have emphasised their defence and McLaren hopes that they will take the hard work into the match.
"We've always been a team that you have had to work exceptionally hard to score against," McLaren stressed. "We aren't putting that full performance together and it was proven against UWC when they only managed one try in the second half compared to the five they scored in the first half.
"We need to be better at playing two good halves and try to eliminate those softer moments."
The Comets have made a few changes to their starting XV for their trip to Alice. In the forwards Garren Muller returns to the starting line-up at lock while Lifa Ncwana also returns at flank.
There is just one change in the backline with Sivu Mpendu coming onto the right wing in place Nkazimulo Mzolo.
FNB Varsity College Comets Starting XV:
1. Ox Meyiwa, 2. Jacques Marais (cc), 3. Danie van Huizen, 4. Robert Everson, 5. Garren Muller, 6. Lifa Ncwana, 7. Enzo van Niekerk, 8. Juan Steyl, 9. Abande Mthembu (cc), 10. Drico Marx, 11. Edward Sigauke, 12. Mambo Mkhize, 13. Anwill Prins, 14. Sivu Mpendu, 15. Chandler Green
Impact Players
16. Thabo Njapha, 17. Bradley Moroney, 18. Donell Francis, 19. Jonothan Horak, 20. Reece Curtin, 21. Dallyn Beukes, 22. MJ Schoeman, 23. Mignon Stevens.
