adminNgoni Dapira
THE 2015 Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival will roar to life on Monday at the traditional venue, Prince Edward High School in Harare.
The country’s biggest schools rugby showcase that last year changed its main sponsor from Cotton Company of Zimbabwe to Dairibord is this year expected record its biggest number of schools participating.
From Manicaland, Hillcrest College, Mutare Boys’ High School, Marist and Vengere High School will be representing the province. The director of the seven-day festival, Sebastian Garikai, said the number of participating schools this year increased from 168 to 186.
This year will, however, only have two foreign teams from Botswana.
Hillcrest College will play the traditional Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday days for Group A schools and have been pitted against Christian Brothers College, Lomagundi and arch-rivals, Watershed respectively.
Mutare Boys’ High is back in the Tuesday’s slot after relegation last year and will face Vainona, Goromonzi and Milton High School respectively.
Marist and Vengere will play on the Monday, Wednesday and Friday slots for developmental rugby schools.
Marist has been placed in the pool against Goldridge, Atexis and will face their provincial counterparts, Vengere.
Vengere will face Chinhoyi, Goldridge and then Marist.
Mutare Boys’ High coach, George Mufute, said his side was fired up and were up for the task to restore their former glory as the “fierce Shumbas”.
“I am glad the Shumbas were retained to the Tuesday’s slot where they can showcase that they still have what it takes to face the big teams.
“Milton will probably be our biggest hurdle, but I am confident we will win,” said Mufute.
Hillcrest College rugby coach, Crispen Mhike, said his boys had a successful tour of South Africa early this month where they won two out of the three matches they played in. He was confident that they will win all their matches.
“It is a tricky group, but I am confident that we will pull through, buoyant from our successful tour of South Africa early this month,” said Mhike.
The annual Dairibord schools rugby tournament draws a lot of crowds and talent scouts looking for new talent.
The tournament has over the years become a stepping stone for several players, where international players like Tendai “Beast” Mutawarira and Brian Mujati got their spotlight to launch their careers during their school days.
Online Reporter