Nedbank Rugby returns

Deputy Sports Editor

THE good news is that the Nedbank Rugby Challenge will be held for the second year running. What is even better is that the tournament will follow the same format, as eight teams have been confirmed. The tournament will act as a precursor of the Zimbabwe Sables’ run in the Currie Cup First Division tournament.

“The Nedbank Ruby Challenge is, indeed, returning in full force,” said Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) chief executive officer Sifiso Made.

“We approached our title sponsor with the intention of continuing our partnership, and I am glad to report that they were more than willing.” However, the actual dates have not yet been confirmed.

“We are currently working on the logistics, with the hope being that we can hold the tournament early next month from 10 to18 March, to be specific,” he said.

“As you might remember, we used the tournament to prepare the Zimbabwe Sables team for the Currie Cup.

“It was our grand plan for the World Cup preparations, with the Sables coach, Brendan Dawson, and his technical team using the tournament to scout for talent and assess some of the players and specific positions.

“Since we will return to the Currie Cup (First Division) this time around, we hope to do the same.” The Junior Sables (Zimbabwe Under-20) used the tournament last year to prepare for the Barthes Trophy, which they won.

This year, they are expected to use it again to prepare to defend the trophy. Teams that have already stepped up preparations for the Nedbank Rugby Challenge include last year’s losing finalists Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club and Shaun De Souza’s Junior Sables.

“Yes, we have started practising,” said Old Hararians’ new skipper Jeff Makoni.

“It was a bit difficult at first, as the dates of the tournament and the season were not clear. However, we managed to get going, and it is looking promising.

“We are getting more and more young players involved, and this is a major boost for us, as it allows for more competition in every position,” he said. Makoni takes over the reins from club legend and former Sables flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya.

“When I first received the news, I was a bit shocked, as it was the last thing I was expecting.

“With Tichafara Makwanya’s guidance, it has been a little easy getting into the role, as we are opposites and the team had to adjust to it. The response from both the players and technical team has been amazing, and I am ready for the challenge now,” he said. The Junior Sables trooped into camp last week, with De Souza calling up an enlarged 70-man squad for a month-long camp. The team also have a tour of Botswana lined up early next month. Harare Sports Club did not have the best of runs during last year’s edition of the tournament, with skipper Kudzai Mashawi the first to admit as much.

“Last year’s edition of the tournament was good, and there wasn’t much to complain about in terms of organisation and the competition levels on the pitch itself,” said Mashawi.

“Unfortunately, we did not do so well and really should have won it all, as we ended up having quite a few guys making it to the Sables’ Currie Cup squad,” he said.

Mashawi and his men will be hoping to atone for the poor run.

“The goal has to be to win the tournament, as Harare Sports Club has a rich history . . .

“We dominated the Sevens’ circuit last season and we now have to put our print on the 15s’ game.

“We are aiming to be the number one in the country, and that starts with winning the Nedbank Rugby Challenge,” he said.