Varsity College out to extend Varsity Shield winning run

This Friday's clash will be the first derby match between the two sides in the Varsity Shield and the teams go into the match with conflicting results.

The newcomers have won both of their matches, against FNB TUT and FNB UFH, while UKZN are winless from their two matches with losses to FNB WSU in their first match and then a loss to the FNB Madibaz in Gqeberha last week.

UKZN will be at home for the first time in the tournament following two matches on the road, and The IIE's Varsity College head coach Jeremy McLaren understands that his side need to be fully prepared to face their neighbours.

"We've put in some hard work this week and set the tone going into Friday afternoon's match," McLaren said. "The preparation has also been important in keeping us grounded and focused on the job at hand.

"The last two games have laid the perfect foundation for us in the competition, and we have got a few things that we are focusing on to take us to that next level."

The Comets were tested in patches in their previous match against the University of Fort Hare and the coach believes that they have found a few areas that they need to improve on.

"There has been some emphasis on fixing a few things in our set up including our attack shape and working better off the ball.

"The challenge to the players is to start building the walls of the house. They can't just carry on working on the foundations," McLaren commented.

There has been talk amongst the squad about the importance of the derby and getting a win against UKZN. In the context of the competition, it means that Varsity College will be undefeated through the first half of the tournament.

"Before the tournament we spoke about winning the first two matches, but this game was a big focus for us because it's a local match despite being an away game.

"We aren't too sure what to expect from UKZN, but we have a bit of an idea having played club rugby there in the past."

Varsity College played UKZN in a warm-up match before the start of the competition and the Comets won comfortably, however McLaren won't look into that result at all.

"This week's match against UKZN comes after two matches since we last played them and dynamics change so we have focused on their match against the Madibaz.

"We've used that game to work out a few things that we will be using tomorrow against UKZN.

"We won't be using that warm-up game as a gauge, but we will be using it as motivation to play even better against them on Friday," the coach added.

The FNB Varsity College Comets have a strong squad this week but will be without in-form lock Garren Muller who has an ankle injury. Mbasa Nkonki, who missed their win against Fort Hare, is available for selection this week.

Sonwabo Maseko comes into the starting XV at loose-head prop while there is one change in the backs as Mbasa Nkonki returns to fullback and Chris Horak shifts to the wing in place of Philani Khoza.

The match kicks off at the UKZN Howard Campus at 15:00 on Friday afternoon and will be broadcast on SuperSport Rugby.

FNB Varsity College v FNB UKZN Impi

1 Sonwabo Maseko, 2 Jacques Marais, 3 Siyabonga Dube, 4 Robert Everson, 5 Werner Coetzee, 6 Juan Steyl, 7 Enzo van Niekerk, 8 Mandisi Nkutha, 9 Abande Mthembu, 10 Frederick Marx, 11 Tshegofatso Ramaloko, 12 Michael Ngwenya, 13 Macmillian Mudara, 14 Chris Horak, 15 Mbasa Nkonki.

Reserves

16 Johan Viljoen, 17 Bunono Jabavu, 18 Nathi Ntuli, 19 Sinelifa Ncwana, 20 Michael Horak, 21 Dallyn Beukes, 22 Benjamin Field, 23 Cade Latham