Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
MILTON High School’s Elephants trampled past adversity and rose to the occasion at the 2025 edition of the Unforgettable Milton Rugby Schools Festival, powering to two morale-boosting victories in a thrilling showcase of schoolboy rugby.
Even without two of their top players, the hosts dominated proceedings at the two-day extravaganza held on their home turf in Bulawayo, claiming bragging rights with hard-fought wins over Goromonzi High and Allan Wilson — the latter in the festival’s headline clash on Saturday.
In their opening fixture on Friday, the Elephants stuck to their systems and put on a composed performance to dispatch Goromonzi 22-12. On Saturday, they dug even deeper, edging Allan Wilson 13-11 in a nail-biter that sealed an unbeaten festival run and stole the show.
Milton headmaster Similo Ncube, speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, was beaming with pride — not just over the school’s results but over the event’s wider impact.
“We are excited. We have been preparing for this for a long time. We are happy that it was successful — the games were played very well and the competition was high. Through our festival, we are developing the game. The turnout was good, the teams were up to scratch. And the development of a player happens through game time in a competitive environment, one that mirrors big-match intensity. This was such a space, and it gives the boys both experience and confidence,” said Ncube.
Milton’s commitment to rugby excellence has already borne fruit. Two of their standout players — Mayibongwe Ncube and Joseph Ndovorwi — are part of the Junior Sables squad set to represent Zimbabwe at the Barthes Trophy. For Ncube, that’s only the beginning.
“We’re proud to have two of our boys in the national Under-20 team, and we want to produce more — not just as Milton, but as a region. We’re very grateful for the support we received — from our teachers, coaches, players and especially parents. Their backing made this possible,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ncube hinted at even bolder ambitions, including the possibility of hosting future editions on the school’s own grounds and creating a more inclusive family atmosphere around the sport.
“Very soon, we would love to have the games hosted at our own facilities, invite more parents, and really build an environment where we all push these young people forward. With the support of both parents and teachers, we can make a big difference.”
The festival was not only a celebration of Milton’s triumph but a wider reflection of the city’s vibrant schoolboy rugby culture, with over a dozen schools — including CBC, Plumtree, Petra, and Entumbane — fielding teams across various age groups and girls’ divisions.
The Elephants’ success now sets the tone for their upcoming appearance at the prestigious St John’s Mukuru Derby Day from April 28 to May 3 — a test they now approach with sharpened confidence and a proud roar.
Milton Rugby Festival – Selected Results
First Teams – Day One:
Milton Seconds 25–0 Northlea
Allan Wilson 46 – 0 St Bernard’s
Petra 20 –15 Entumbane
CBC 19– 5 Nkulumane
Milton Seconds 31–24 Direct Contact
LBC 12 –12 Gifford
Plumtree 29 – 5 MCC
Under-16s & Girls – Day One:
CBC 21–12 Allan Wilson
Bulawayo Select (Girls) 0 – 25 Goromonzi (Girls)
Plumtree (Girls) 29–0 Northlea (Girls)
Milton 0– 0 Sobukhazi
Plumtree 21– 5 Goromonzi
Montrose (Girls) 27–15 Mzilikazi (Girls)
Western Suburbs 0 – 48 Gifford
St Bernard’s 13 – 5 St Columbus
Entumbane (Girls) 10 –12 LBC (Girls)
Entumbane 0 –19 Direct Contact
First Teams – Day Two:
Milton Seconds 10 –7 Nkulumane
St Bernard’s 15 –10 Entumbane
Direct Contact 31– 0 Northlea
CBC 0– 7 Gifford
LBC 12–10 Milton Seconds
Petra 0 – 50 MCC
Plumtree 24–3 Goromonzi
Milton 13–11 Allan Wilson
Under-16s & Girls – Day Two:
Gifford 7–17 Plumtree
Milton 0–19 Allan Wilson
Plumtree Girls 14 –15 Montrose Girls
Bulawayo Select Girls 0 – 26 LBC Girls
Entumbane 25 – 0 St Columbus
St Bernard’s 12– 36 CBC
Entumbane Girls 0 –22 Mzilikazi Girls
Entumbane Girls 0 –22 Goromonzi Girls
Goromonzi 36 –10 Direct Contact
— @brandon_malvin
