tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
Rugby matches between Zimbabwe and Namibia have traditionally been competitive as well as hostile at times.
However, there was an element of mutual respect as Zimbabwe’s coach Brendan Dawson sat down with his Namibian counterpart Chrysander Botha for the pre-match presser of their Currie Cup/Mzansi Challenge match at Harare Sports Club on Friday.
The Currie Cup First Division is different this year, as the latest edition has seen the addition of the Mzansi Challenge.
The traditional six provincial teams – Boland Kavaliers, Leopards, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles, Eastern Province and Valke – will still contest in the Currie Cup First Division, which began on February 10.
However, they are set to be joined by five international teams – Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Windhoek Draught Welwitschias (Namibia), Tel-Aviv Heat (Israel) and the Zimbabwe Goshawks.
All eleven teams are competing in the Mzansi Challenge leg of the competition.
This will involve a single-round format, which concludes with semi-final matches and the final during the next 14 weeks.
The Goshawks and the Windhoek Draught Welwitschias begin their matches with a clash at Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
Both teams appeared to be rather upbeat about the clash and the tournament.
“A win is important, and it will be good to start the tournament on a positive note.
“But it is about building relations and the main aim of tournaments like these is development,” said Botha.
“No coach goes into a game not aiming to win, but, at the end of the match, we are still going to meet and share ideas.
“The rugby landscape is basically the same, and, as Africans, we need to work together for the good of the region and game.
“World Rugby expects certain things from us, and the only way we will be able to get to the point where we want and need to be will be to work together.”
Dawson agrees.
“That is the beauty of rugby: On the field, it is full-on contact and everybody wants to win.
“However, the moment the whistle blows and the game ends, you come together and share thoughts.
“There is talk of World Rugby extending the number of African teams at the next World Cup, and it would be nice if we can get South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“That starts now, as we have a lot to learn from a country like Namibia, who have been to seven straight World Cups,” he said.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter