Final hurdle ahead of Comets on Friday

The Comets contested the 2024 final; however, they came up against a juggernaut UP-Tuks team and will be looking forward to the opportunity to write their names in history.

Having already secured promotion to the FNB Varsity Cup for 2026, the Comets would like to add the cherry on the top with a Shield title against a resurgent Madibaz outfit.

The two teams met in the opening round of the competition and the Comets ran out convincing 40-12 victors in that encounter, however the team from Gqeberha has come a long way since that performance.

VC head coach Jeremy McLaren says that the Comets might bring something slightly different to the final on Friday.

"You would be silly to think you have to change things because it's a final," McLaren said. "We have some things that we have worked out throughout the year that we might want to implement on Friday.

"We haven't been able to use them during the season and it might be a chance for us to catch them off guard a bit.

"Both teams understand and know who the threats are so it might be the perfect chance for us to use things that we have at our disposal."

Heading into the final, McLaren mentioned that the focus this week has changed from previous weeks.

"This week I took the focus away from us trying to play the perfect game, and put it on how we can nullify the threats that the Madibaz will pose.

"We have been able to win by playing some ugly rugby this season and we've scored on average six tries a match, so we have been preparing hard for what's to come," the coach added.

A healthy rivalry has developed between the Comets and the Madibaz over the last two seasons with the Comets winning two of the three contests between the two teams.

Heading into the final, McLaren feels that the Madibaz will provide a significant threat.

"I think that us and the Madibaz only lost one game each in the group phase so it's the best two teams in the final.

"We've developed a strong rivalry over the three matches that we've played against each other, and we know they will bring massive intensity to the match.

"We just want to stay consistent in what we do and both teams will have to be at their best to win," McLaren mentioned.

The Comets have made a few changes to their side for the final. Lifa Ncwana returns to the side of the scrum with Khumo Nkutha shifting to the bench.

Sivu Mpendu replaces Allston Cedras on the wing with Ben Field coming onto the bench.

FNB VARSITY COLLEGE COMETS STARTING XV:

1.Ox Meyiwa, 2. Jacques Marais, 3. Mbuso Kweyama, 4. Robert Everson, 5. Garren Muller, 6. Lifa Ncwana, 7. Enzo van Niekerk, 8. Juan Steyl, 9. AB Mthembu, 10. Drico Marx, 11. Edward Sigauke, 12. Mambo Mkhize, 13. MJ Schoeman, 14. Sivu Mpendu, 15. Chandler Green

IMPACT PLAYERS:

16.Thabo Njapha, 17. Donell Francis, 18. Daniel van Huizen, 19. Reece Curtin, 20. Khumo Nkutha, 21. Chris Els, 22. Ben Field, 23. Cade Latham.