adminPetros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
EXACTLY two years after they left a huge mark on the Zimbabwe scene, South African rugby giants Vodacom Blue Bulls will return to the country for a once-off clash against a local invitational side, the Zambezi Steelers, next month.
The showdown, dubbed the Old Mutual Legends Cup, is pencilled for Harare Sports Club on April 14 and is expected to attract some high-profile figures in the game.
A local sports management company focusing on sport business including sports marketing, elite training, player placement and sports development — Kyros Sports — are once again the brains behind the Blue Bulls tour of Zimbabwe.
Although it is an invitational side, the Zambezi Steelers side will provide Zimbabwean rugby enthusiasts with a chance to take a closer look of new Sables coach Peter de Villiers’ tactics as the former Springboks coach has been tasked with presiding over the host team.
De Villiers will also have some of his Sables, including Denford Mutamangira.
Kyros Sports founder and director Kudakwashe “Kisset” Chirengende said the Legend Cup tie is also part of his company’s way of assisting the national team’s preparations for the start of the 2019 World Cup qualifiers in June.
The Sables will face Morocco at home in their opening World Cup qualifier, which will mark De Villiers’ first competitive game in charge of Zimbabwe.
“The Zambezi Steelers (a Zimbabwean Barbarians side) are a Kyros Sports-owned invitational team of Zimbabwean rugby players.
“In the past, players have often been hesitant to commit to Zimbabwe at senior level and in forming this invitational team, our hope is that if they come together with their mates and ‘represent Zimbabwe’ in a non-country tying fixture, it would expose them to the camaraderie and benefits of playing with their fellow countrymen.
“This would hopefully result in mass commitment to the Sables.
“It will be the first time a Zimbabwe “Barbarians” side is assembled. The side will feature prominent Zimbabwe-born players who have played professional rugby in other countries; players like Pieter Benade, Tonderai Chavhanga, to mention a few. These legends will mix with up-and-coming talent,’’ Chirengende said.
The Legends Cup tie is also set to feature some guest players for the Zambezi Steelers.
“There will also be two non-Zimbabwean guest players headlined by a great former All Black who we will be announced soon as well as young Sharks flyhalf Inny Radebe.
Online Reporter