adminNgoni Dapira
ZIMBABWE’S Under-19 junior Sables managed to maintain their Division 1A spot next year after whipping Tunisia 51-21 in the third-place play-offs last Saturday at the Confederation of African Rugby Division 1A Under-19 tournament in Namibia.
Following their 52-21 win over Kenya last Saturday, Namibia will once again represent the continent together with South Africa at the International Rugby Board 2015 Junior World Rugby Tournament to be hosted by Portugal.
Namibia has qualified for the past two JWRT events by winning the U-19 tournaments in 2012 and 2013.
Zimbabwe’s Rugby World Cup dream might have been shattered, but at least the Junior Sables held fort and still stand a chance to atone in next year’s qualifiers.
The CAR tournament sees the top four U-19 teams in Africa competing for top honours for the junior continental title which also serves as the qualifiers for the International Rugby Board Junior World Rugby Tournament.
Zimbabwe last qualified for the JWRT in 2011 and has been crashing out in the finals at the qualifiers for the past two-years.
Following their loss, Tunisia on the other hand will have to take on the finalist from Division 1B to earn a spot back in Division1A next year (2015).
Tunisia had won the Division 1B in 2013 and was promoted to Division 1A this year, displacing Madagascar.
Sadly for Zimbabwean rugby this year, both the senior and junior national teams failed to qualify for the IRB international RWC showcases.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD
Thabani Munjeni (Captain), Farai Mudariki (Vice Captain), Hugo de LaFargue (Vice Captain), Gabriel Sipapate, Kudakwashe Chipunza, Thulani Dhliwayo, Tanaka Zimuto, Kudakwashe Nhira, Brian Nyaude, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Ivan Bawden, Shephard Mhembere, Dlelo Velempini, Tinashe Gwisai, Sean Mwayera, Nyasha Chinorwadza, Tafadzwa Mukonyora, Courtney Archer, Shane Snater, Tawanda Ngosi, Sean Coles, Jabulani Mutukwa, Godknows Mawara.
Online Reporter