Junior Sables confident of treble

JUNIOR Sables captain Benoni Nhekairo believes his team has what it takes to defend their Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy title. Zimbabwe will compete against Kenya, Namibia and Tunisia in the tournament, which starts on Saturday at Harare Sports Club.

Nhekairo, who will co-captain the team with Tawananyasha Bwanya, said the players were in good form heading into the competition and they would treat each team with respect.

Both players were part of the squad that won the competition in Kenya last year.

Other players who were also part of the squad last year are Allan Mwawunga, Edward Sigauke, Tadiwanashe Unganai and Brendan Jameson.

The winner of the Barthes Trophy will qualify for the 2024 World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, which will be held in Edinburgh, Scotland.

“When we started camp, some of the players were a bit off form. However, with time, people started to improve and we are in a good space right now, with most players finding their form. Going into the tournament, the pressure will be on us since we are the hosts and also the defending champions. We have to manage that pressure and make sure we focus on our games and get to defend the title in front of our home supporters,” said Nhekairo.

“All the teams will want to beat us. Kenya obviously, will want to revenge last year’s loss in the final, but we will be ready to face everyone,” he said.

Kenya will face off against Tunisia in the early kick-off match on Saturday, while Zimbabwe will take on Tunisia later.

On the second day, Kenya will go head to head with Tunisia, while Zimbabwe face off against Namibia.

Junior Sables Squad

Fowards: Samuel Edwards, Louange Mutimawurukundo, Emmanuel Gabi, Tawanyasha Bwanya (Co-captain), Thabani Ndlovu, Joseph Benning, Innocent Dekete, Allan Mawunga, Tatenda Runyowa, Kudzai Tsvakirai, Huntsmann Greaves, Tafara Dewa, Giordan Sarpo, Polite Phiri, Takudzwa Matsvimbo, Rogers Tayengwa

Backs: Koluwani Moyo, Tinotenda Rusike, Emmanuel Magutakuona, Alex Kern, Brendan Jameson, Shammah Jackson, Benoni Nhekairo (Co-captain), Tadiwanashe Unganai, Wayne Kunaka, Tadiwa Maradze, Kaitano Tembo, Tadiwa Madya, Cody Grant, Tanaka Mupamhadzi, Vuyani Ncube, Edward Sigauke.

Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy Fixtures

April 20: Kenya vs Tunisia (2pm), Zimbabwe vs Tunisia April 24: Kenya vs Tunisia (2pm), Zimbabwe vs Namibia (4pm)

April 28: Namibia vs Tunisia (2pm), Zimbabwe vs Kenya (4pm)—@innocentskizoe