Varsity Sports • 26th August 2024

Nhlakanipho Ngwenya's debut season for newcomers DUT already memorable

Hailing from the township of Mayflower in Mpumalanga, Nhlakanipho Ngwenya has already had a season to remember in his first year playing for DUT Men’s Football as the team from the coast debuts in the Varsity Football competition.  The Durban based side held defending champs TUT to a one-all draw in round 5 with Ngwenya scoring the equaliser.New kids on the block, DUT, have not had the campaign they were hoping for on in their first season of the #iyachesa campaign and this is mostly due to thei...

Varsity Sports • 20th July 2024

Newcomers DUT prepare ‘finer details’ ahead of season debut

New doors have opened for DUT Men’s Football, and excitement is buzzing as the Durban based side are set to make their debut in their first ever Varsity Men’s Football competition.Dawning on the Varsity Diski stage for the first time, DUT co-coach Alex Zondi says the mood is jubilant in the camp as preparations pick up momentum ahead of their season opener against CUT.“It feels great that the institution has qualified for Varsity Football and there is lots of excitement as we prepare from everyo...

Varsity Cup • 6th May 2026

FNB Emeris retain FNB Varsity Cup status with dominant promotion relegation win

FNB Emeris produced a commanding performance in the FNB Varsity Cup promotion/relegation playoff, defeating Walter Sisulu University 47-22 to secure their place in the 2027 competition. The Durban-based Comets set the tone early and never looked back, racing into a commanding halftime lead before shutting the door in the second half.Emeris struck first in the 2nd minute following a slick attacking sequence, with Chris Horak slicing through the defence to score under the poles. The conversion was...

Varsity Cup • 16th March 2026

Comets remain positive amid tough debut and uncertain FNB Varsity Cup future

It hasn't been smooth sailing for current FNB Varsity Shield champions, FNB Emeris, who are having a tough FNB Varsity Cup debut season this year and their coach Jeremy McLaren has admitted that things have not gone as planned this year for the men from Durban.“I think the nature of the competition is that life will be difficult if you’re in year one. Obviously we had some planning going before the start of the competition to try and win more than just one game. Or to just be in the competition...

Varsity Cup • 5th March 2026

Experienced FNB UKZN Women’s head coach backs underdog Impi team

With the FNB Varsity Cup Women 2026 season almost underway, FNB UKZN Impi are embracing their underdog status with confidence, determined to turn it into their driving force as they prepare to challenge the country’s top university rugby sides.FNB UKZN Women’s head coach, Muziwandile Malinga, who is also the Junior Springbok ladies head coach, believes that his side can bring something different to the competition this year after long preseason preparations with his team.“I guess we will find ou...

Varsity Cup • 1st March 2026

Comets not backing down despite tough start says captain Jacques Marais

Newcomers FNB Emeris have not had a friendly welcome in their FNB Varsity Cup debut campaign. This follows back-to-back defeats in their opening two matches of the season. Amongst some of the many tasks that the Comets men have had to overcome is that they have had to travel in both matches as they have played their first two matches of the tournament away from home.FNB Comets captain, Jacques Marais has testified that this has not been an easy situation but pointed out that it has been a time o...

Varsity Cup • 1st March 2026

Comets not backing down despite tough start says captain Jacques Marais

Newcomers FNB Emeris have not had a friendly welcome in their FNB Varsity Cup debut campaign. This follows back-to-back defeats in their opening two matches of the season. Amongst some of the many tasks that the Comets men have had to overcome is that they have had to travel in both matches as they have played their first two matches of the tournament away from home.FNB Comets captain, Jacques Marais has testified that this has not been an easy situation but pointed out that it has been a time o...

Varsity Cup • 26th February 2026

Impi aim to relive 2015 FNB Varsity Shield glory against old foes Wits

FNB UKZN face old foes FNB Wits in the third-round game of the campaign and the Impi will be looking to repeat the results of the 2015 final when they were crowned champions after beating Wits 29-24.This is the sentiment shared by Siso France, vice-captain and fullback of the IMPI, who believes that his team’s highs and lows can be good for his men.“The first two games, roller coaster. Roller coaster, if you’re looking at the score but if you ask from UKZN’s side, it’s been steady,” said France....

Varsity Cup • 25th February 2026

Comets winger Edward Siguake hails new Tap or Kick rule

Newcomers FNB Emeris have officially stepped onto the FNB Varsity Cup stage. Despite a challenging start to their campaign, the squad remains energised and proud to be debutants, embracing the opportunity to compete in this year’s prestigious tournament. One of these players is the electric 22-year-old Zimbabwean international, Edward Sigauke who plays left wing for the FNB Comets.The exciting winger, Sigauke, has praised the competition already, speaking specifically about the competition’s new...

Varsity Cup • 20th February 2026

Impi awaken the giant with statement FNB Varsity Shield victory

A new chapter has begun for FNB UKZN IMPI in the FNB Varsity Shield after seasons of frustration, near misses and disappointments in past years, particularly in the previous season where the KZN team battled and survived the relegation playoffs in order to keep their spot in the competition.FNB UKZN delivered a statement performance in their opening fixture of this year’s Shield campaign, securing a commanding 46-15 victory against FNB SPU, which sees them sitting proudly at the top of the summi...

Varsity Cup • 12th February 2026

Impi determined to turn the page and make their mark this season

After narrowly avoiding relegation in last year’s promotion/relegation playoffs, FNB UKZN enter the 2026 FNB Varsity Shield determined to make amends and rewrite the story of their 2025 campaign.Impi Head Coach Naseeb Abrahams has admitted his team’s disappointment in their performance in the past year, emphasizing that going into the playoffs wasn’t part of their plans.“Being in the relegation playoffs wasn’t something that we wanted, there was a lot of anger there [from us],” said Abrahams. We...

Varsity Cup • 11th February 2026

FNB Emeris set for debut FNB Varsity Cup season after securing promotion

FNB Varsity College, now competing under their new FNB Emeris brand, are gearing up for a familiar challenge as they are preparing to take on the FNB Varsity Cup - just two years after making their debut in the FNB Varsity Shield competition. The Comets topped the 2025 log of the FNB Shield tournament earning automatic promotion into the FNB Varsity Cup and then capped off a dream season by beating Madibaz in the final to be crowned Shield champions as well.Comets coach Jeremy McLaren has come o...

Varsity Sports • 3rd September 2025

DUT playmaker Phiwayinkosi 'Rasta' Mchunu on the inspiration behind his dreadlocks

The South African football world has witnessed some quality players with dreadlocks in recent years. The likes of legendary Lifa Tsutsulupa, the heroic Siphiwe Tshabalala, the stylish Reneilwe Letsholonyane and many others are among some of these stars. Hailing from KwaNzimakwe in Port Shepstone KZN, DUT attacking midfielder, Phiwayinkosi Mchunu, is quickly unleashing his potential of being a worthy addition into this ‘dreadlocks golden generation’ as the 22-year-old has not just been a fan-favo...

Varsity Sports • 19th August 2025

DUT winger Iviwe Sodidi relishing the support from home fans at Harry Gwala Stadium

After spending their debut season last year on the road without any home games, DUT Men’s Football made their first home appearance at a packed Harry Gwala Stadium against TUT where they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat down in Pietermaritzburg, KZN.One of the outstanding performers in that match, left-winger Iviwe Sodidi, said the feeling of playing at home in KZN at the Harry Gwala Stadium was amazing and praised the outstanding support from fans.There was a lot of energy, the fans were excited, i...

Varsity Cup • 11th April 2025

Comets ready to add FNB Varsity Shield title to their promotion

The FNB Varsity College have already ticked their most important objective, which was to qualify for the FNB Varsity Cup 2026. The men from Durban North have just one more match to play to determine if their ending is perfect and if they will lift the FNB Varsity Shield in the final.Comets captain Abande AB Mthembu says his team is more than ready for their face off with FNB Madibaz for this season’s final.“It’s game nine out of nine for us, and the way we have prepared in the last 8 games has b...

Varsity Cup • 2nd April 2025

Promotion already secured and Comets now focused on strong FNB Varsity Shield finish

It was mission accomplished for FNB Varsity College who have already secured their qualification for the FNB Varsity Cup 2026 season after finishing the group stages on top of the log, but the Comets have now turned their focus to the FNB Varsity Shield playoffs and finishing the campaign as champions.Leading his charge, the calm and collected coach Jeremy McLaren made a name for himself and his team as they became the first team from KZN to host a home semi-final in the FNB Varsity Shield and q...

Varsity Cup • 20th March 2025

New leadership responsibility for Impi captain Buzani

FNB UKZN have history and rugby heritage in the province of KwaZulu-Natal as well as a culture of providing great leaders not just on the pitch but in life in general. Mthomboyolo Buzani is one of them and he sees the opportunity of being leader of the Impi team as a privilege.“Leading this group has been a privilege. We’ve been working towards the campaign since last October. We have gone through our trials and tribulations in terms of preparing and getting a squad camaraderie amongst us going...

Varsity Cup • 12th March 2025

Jacques Marais hails the Comets finish-strong mentality in FNB Varsity Shield 2025

FNB Varsity College have had a decent run upfront, particularly in the form of tries. Having individually scored six tries already after four rounds of the FNB Varsity Shield 2025 edition, Jacques Marais has been an X factor to the Comets side as the hooker’s contributions have been visible for all to see.The Comets number two has praised his team and their system of play, sharing that his returns have been largely due to that.“At the end of the day, rugby is a team sport and no one can score tr...

Varsity Cup • 12th March 2025

FNB UKZN women's captain says they are ready to represent UKZN with pride

FNB UKZN Women’s rugby team have not had the best of times in the FNB Varsity Cup Women’s edition. Lack of proper preparations has been one of their most defining reasons for their slow show in the competition. This year, the Impi ladies have a plan to keep themselves in the competition and to compete, says their captain Nomonde Mbanjwa.“The plan for us this year is to maintain our place in the FNB Varsity Cup and also to try by all means to compete. The discussion this year is to play the rugby...

Varsity Cup • 28th February 2025

Comets prop Ox Meyiwa making a name for himself among FNB Varsity College faithful

Loose-head prop Okuhlekodwa ‘Ox’ Meyiwa is already earning a popular name for himself across FNB Varsity College faithfuls. Scoring two tries against FNB UWC, Ox has been an important piece in the impressive setup of the Comets with his significance clear in the strength requiring work on the pitch such as scrum work.The front-rower has praised forwards coach and teammates for much of his work up-front and the team’s efforts particularly on the end of the forward pack.“The honest truth with  our...

Varsity Cup • 27th February 2025

Siso France says applying scoreboard pressure is key for FNB UKZN

FNB UKZN have been big on collecting points through their kicking this year, the key man behind collecting those points has been last season’s rookie of the year nominee, fly-half, Siso France. The Eastern Cape born has voiced out that the Impi simply read the game and do this to put scoreboard pressure on their opponents.“There isn’t necessarily a reason behind constantly scoring points through our penalty kicks. It’s always about keeping the scoreboard going, scoreboard pressure. It does play...

Varsity Cup • 19th February 2025

FNB UKZN hooker Jordan Ramsamy opens up about return from ACL injury

FNB UKZN are one team who have struggled with injuries at the most crucial stages in the past few seasons. This has ultimately been one of the main challenges in their evidently inconsistent performances in the FNB Varsity Shield competition. Hooker, Jordan Ramsamy, is one of those who has been on the injury list and has opened up on his comeback from an ACL injury which sidelined him for more than nine months.In his comeback the 20-year-old scored Impi’s first try in the 2025 FNB Varsity Shield...

Varsity Cup • 19th February 2025

Comets flyhalf Drico Marx determined to lead by example

FNB Varsity College had a season to remember on their debut FNB Varsity Shield campaign after they finished as the 2024 competition’s runners-up. Spearheading this success were some of their key players such as their fly-half, a promising rising star, Frederick Marx who put in some decisive performances for his side on the pitch.The 21-year-old flyhalf has promised to put in an extra shift and continue being exemplary for his team this year.“This year marks a defining chapter in my journey—my fi...

Varsity Cup • 13th February 2025

UKZN Impi eyes top four finish in this year’s FNB Varsity Shield campaign

FNB UKZN is one team who need no reminder of why they should perform well in the 2025 Varsity Shield edition. This follows last season’s performance where the men from KwaZulu-Natal found themselves fighting for their lives in the final match of the round-robin stage, as they sought, by all means, to avoid relegation.FNB UKZN coach, Naseeb Abrahams has spoken confidently that the upcoming season will see a much improved IMPI team as much work has been done behind the scenes.“The off-season and o...