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Zimpapers Sports Hub
ALL roads lead to Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange grounds as the Nedbank Rugby Challenge returns for the fourth edition this weekend.
The competition, slated for March 29 to April 5, will be officially launched at Harare Sports Club this afternoon and will see eight teams slug it out for honours during the course of two weekends.
The eight teams include defending champions and hosts Harare Sports Club, Old Georgians, Old Hararians, Paramount Under-20 champions Pitbulls, Manicaland and Matabeleland select sides, the Junior Sables and a “Grassroots to Greatness” Zimbabwe Under-20 side.
“It’s all system go,” said national Under-20 coach and tournament director Shaun De Souza.
“We received the green light from the Zimbabwe Rugby Union and all the participating teams have confirmed,” he said.
This year’s event promises to be bigger, bolder, and more inclusive than ever before, with a strong focus on women’s rugby, youth development, and club excellence.
In a landmark move underscoring the growth of the women’s game, both the Zimbabwe Sables Women’s and the Junior Sables-Under-20 women’s teams will feature prominently across the two weekends.
The Lady Sables will be using the Nedbank Challenge Cup as the final preparatory event as they gear up for their trip to Cote d’ Ivoire for the Rugby Africa Division One quest in April.
They will play their Zimbabwe Under-20 counterparts twice with the matches acting as curtain raisers during the two weekends
Nedbank Challenge Cup continues to serve as a crucial platform for grooming future national talent.
Among the most anticipated fixtures is the involvement of the Nedbank ‘Grassroots to Greatness’ Under-20 side, who will face host club Harare Sports Club in a thrilling round one clash.
For De Souza the tournament is key in terms of his Junior Sables’ on-going preparations for the Barthes Trophy.
“We are using this tournament to finalise our selection for the Barthes Trophy.
“We have divided our extended squad into two teams namely, the Junior Sables and the ‘Grassroots to Greatness team’ and this is to ensure everyone has a fair shake and gets an opportunity to raise their hands up for selection.
“We also expect some of our foreign-based players to fly in and take part in the tournament.
“This will, however, mainly be during the second round of fixtures,” De Souza said.
Round one of the fixtures will feature five matches, including powerhouse clashes between traditional rivals and exciting regional contests such as the Pitbulls against Manicaland showdown and the clash between Old Hararians and Matabeleland.
Tournament Schedule Highlights:
Round 1 March 29: Quarterfinals and National Women’s showcase at Harare Sports Club.
Round April 2-5: Semi-finals and final placements, including the 7th/8th and 3rd/4th place playoffs.
Final: April 5: The Championship match and closing ceremony at 18:10.
Awards Ceremony-19:40, 5 April.
Online Reporter