Online ReporterBrandon Moyo, [email protected]
Junior Sables 39-32 Outback Barbarians
A day after being appointed Brand Ambassadors for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority’s ZimBho Brand, the Junior Sables embraced the honour with enthusiasm, securing a 39-32 victory over the visiting Outback Barbarians of Australia at Hartsfield Rugby Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday.
It was a superb display from the former African youth champions that left the crowd believing in the future of Zimbabwean rugby.
Junior Sables coach Shaun de Souza, credited the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Tongai Mnangagwa, for providing the team with the opportunity to showcase the Zimbabwe brand both locally and internationally. He described the appointment as a significant achievement for rugby and a strong endorsement of the Government’s commitment to sport and the economy.
“Our brand has been a success over the last three years. We were fortunate that Honourable Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr Tongai Mnangagwa and the tourism group have come in with the ZimBho Brand to support the Junior Sables as brand ambassadors in local and international tourism. We are fortunate to be chosen as Brand Ambassadors for the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority,” de Souza said.
“It’s good for the youngsters, coming out of high school and making it to the national team, to understand the values of local tourism. Understanding that leaving your house and travelling to another town in the country is tourism. Knowing this helps build our country and promotes the growth of the young players coming through,” he added.
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa, continues to promote both local and international tourism to Zimbabwe’s various destinations.
The Junior Sables’ head coach, de Souza, reflected on their remarkable come-from-behind victory over the Outback Barbarians, describing it as a learning curve for his side. Trailing 20-21 at half-time, the Junior Sables turned things around to win 39-32. However, de Souza emphasised that the result was not the primary focus.
“We went into the match with a clear target, working on our defence as part of our preparations for the 2025 Barthes Trophy,” said de Souza. “Today’s game was about focusing on key areas, like defence and set pieces. We were looking to build on last year’s loss in the Barthes Trophy. We had a 26-man squad, they had 28, but we were fortunate to give everyone some game time and showcase what they can do.”
He continued, “It wasn’t about the scoreboard for us; it was about the small key areas we were focusing on that would lead to a good result. That wasn’t the plan, but we’ll take the win and move on to the next step.”
In the match, Wayne Kunaka scored the first try for the Junior Sables in the ninth minute, with co-vice-captain Rusike converting to give Zimbabwe a 7-0 lead. The Outback Barbarians, playing a physical and aggressive game, responded just two minutes later with a converted try.
Moments later, Tinotenda Rusike nearly made a costly error before Shammah Jackson came to the rescue with a kick. Quick hands from the Junior Sables saw PK Manyakara beat the Outback Barbarians’ defence to restore Zimbabwe’s lead in the 22nd minute, though Rusike missed the conversion.
In the 29th minute, Kunaka played the ball on the ground for a penalty. The visitors opted to tap and managed to score a try, which was successfully converted under the posts to take a two-point lead. Rusike comfortably converted a Junior Sables penalty to reclaim their lead, but poor decision-making by the hosts allowed the Barbarians to score their third try and successfully convert.
Two minutes before halftime, the Outback Barbarians’ flyhalf missed a penalty attempt. A minute later, Shammah Jackson made a brilliant interception and run to score the Junior Sables’ third try, though Rusike missed the conversion with the final kick of the first half.
The Barbarians scored their fourth try in the 55th minute, which was converted to make it 20-28. Impact player Ethan Chiponda scored a brilliant try from a drop kick in the 60th minute, though the conversion, taken by Phillip Chimhaka, was missed, leaving Zimbabwe trailing 25-28.
Five minutes later, Chimhaka scored a brilliantly worked try, and Tatenda Kambvumbi successfully converted to make it 32-28 in favour of the Junior Sables. In the 69th minute, the Outback Barbarians scored another try but missed the conversion, bringing the score to 32-33.
In the 77th minute, Zimbabwe missed a penalty, but a minute later, Tafara Dewa scored a try that sealed the game for the hosts. The try was successfully converted by Rusike, bringing the final score to 39-33.
Earlier, Milton Boys High Elephants and Plumtree High School Amabhubesi faced off in a curtain-raiser, which Plumtree won 7-5. In another curtain-raiser, the Zimbabwe Women’s Under-20 select team defeated the Bulawayo Women’s Under-20 select team 12-7.
Junior Sables
Takudzwa Matsvimbo, Louange Ujenza Mutima (Co-Vice Captain), Emmanuel Tawana Gabi (Captain), Nyasha Ngwarati, Tafara Dewa, Tinashe Nyanyiwa, Pharrell Mudiwa Maziwa, Rufaro Shenje, Wayne Kunaka, Tinotenda Rusike (Co-Vice Captain), Shammah Jackson (Co-Vice Captain), Tadiwanashe Unganai, Munangi Kamwendo, PK Manyakara, Tinotenda Chinyadza.
Replacements:
Wayne Kuraimunashe, Kudzai Waylen Tsvakirai, Joseph Ndovorwi, Mayibongwe Ncube, Kudzai Chenda, Tatanda Kambvumbi, Tadiwanashe Maradze, Phillip Chimhaka, Tafadzwa Chataika, Shaun Kuda Ndowa, and Ethan Chaponda. — @brandon_malvin
