dyton mupawaenda
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
BEING the rugby savant that he is, Old Hararians coach Tichafara Makwanya has made it a point to watch every game, which the Zimbabwe Under-20 team have played over the last month or so.
The Junior Sables, have been the most active team in the country given that they have an immediate pressing assignment – the Barthes Trophy competition – next month.
So far, they have played the Queensland Outback Barbarians, Harare Sports Club and a couple of games against the Zimbabwe A side, and Makwanya has been rather impressed.
Last weekend, the Junior Sables caused the biggest upset of the opening round of the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup when they beat Old Georgians 33-22, effectively knocking the star-studded domestic giants from the competition.
“Yeah, they have put up some decent performances over the last month or so, I think I have watched all their games,” said Makwanya.
“They are improving with every performance and I have every confidence that they will do well next month (in the Barthes Trophy).
“The team that played Zimbabwe A recently held their own with Shammah Jackson one of the players who impressed.
“The return of Allan Mawunga would add some much-needed firepower to that team,” he said.
Makwanya will have to rely on all his notes when his Old Hararians meet the Junior Sables in the pick of the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final fixtures this weekend.
While eight teams started off the competition, only four remain in contention to lift the cup.
These include defending champions Harare Sports Club, Pitbulls, Old Hararians and the Junior Sables.
The other four – Manicaland, Matabeleland, Old Georgians and the Zimbabwe ‘Grassroots to Greatness developmental team – will also be in action on Saturday, but mostly playing for placement.
According to the fixture list released after the opening round, the action kicks off with a match between the Zimbabwe women’s Probables against Possibles.
The Zimbabwe Lady Sables’ Possibles took the first match 24-12.
In the placement matches, Old Georgians will play Manicaland province while Matabeleland square up against the Grassroots to Greatness team.
The Junior Sables will then play Old Hararians while Harare Sports Club meets Pitbulls in the second semi-final fixtures.
All games will be played at Harare Sports Club.
However, it is the clash between the Old Boys and the Junior Sables which will headline the semi-final fixtures.
On paper Makwanya’s Old Boys have arguably the strongest squad with many nicknaming the team “Sables Lite’ given that the team is made up of a huge chunk of the Zimbabwe senior men’s team.
That cast includes national team captain Hilton Mudariki, Brian Makamure, Brian Nyaude, Aiden Burnett, Darrell Makwasha, Tonderai Chawambutsa and Dion Khumalo.
Even the weight of expectation is not lost on Makwanya.
“Yeah, we do have arguably the strongest squad on paper, but rugby is not played on a sheet of paper,” he said.
“The boys have to back it up with performances on the pitch.
“We played well in patches last weekend and we will have to concentrate for the full 80 minutes if we want to make the final and lift the trophy,” he said.
Junior Sables coach Shaun De Souza, appears to have also done his homework and welcomes the challenge that lies ahead.
“Old Hararians are in the process of a redemption of sorts,” he said.
“They are a team on the up and will want to go one better after a poor run of form over the last couple of seasons.
“OH, also lost out in the final last year, and at the death for that matter, so we will not be taking this match-up lightly.
“I watched them play and they are explosive on the attack and defend well.
“However, I did notice a couple of weaknesses or weak areas that we hope to exploit this weekend,” De Souza said.
Online Reporter