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SABLES prop Farai Mudariki has become the first beneficiary of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union co-operation with France Rugby Union after earning a scholarship to Castres Olympique Rugby Club.
The younger brother of Sables and Cheetahs scrumhalf, Hilton Mudariki, the Young Sables tight-head prop earned his Sables debut cap last year in the Africa Cup in Madagascar.
“I feel great about going to France, people usually wait 10 years of their career to go to France,” said Mudariki told zimbabwerugby.com.
“I feel very proud that I will have an opportunity to show what Zimbabwe rugby is all about. I would also like to succeed there and set a pathway for my fellow Zimbabweans to go play abroad.”
Zimbabwe’s relations with France have been growing over the years and in 2012 the Young Sables went to the European nation for a two-week camp at the same club as they prepared for the Junior World Rugby Trophy tournament held in the United States.
With two Sables caps, the Under-20 vice-captain is part of a ZRU developmental strategy of building a strong Sables team which will qualify for the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
“I would love to make it in France. Castres Olympique nurture players in the position I play so it will be really good for me.
“My parents were very instrumental in this process and I want to thank them as well as Mr (Liam) Middleton for the help that he gave me.
“This would have not been possible if it wasn’t for the ZRU, I am happy to be a beneficiary of the French-Zim rugby alliance,” said Mudariki.
ZRU general manager, Sifiso Made, believes Mudariki was going to be a good ambassador for Zimbabwe rugby.
“He will raise the country’s flag high. We are happy to see that our relations with the French Rugby Federation are beginning to bear fruit.
“Our plan is to facilitate for more youngsters to have such great opportunities to go and have a test of the top-flight rugby under better facilities,” said Made.
Online Reporter