adminBULAWAYO will get a taste of international rugby for the first time since 2011 when the Zimbabwe President’s XV host South African provincial side Pumas at Hartsfield on March 18. The last time a senior side featured in an international match in Bulawayo was when the Sables beat Uganda 49-21 in the Victoria Cup competition on July 2, 2011.
But Bulawayo rugby fans are set to get another taste of international rugby in March after five years.
The game is being hosted by Kyros Sports Management who last month staged an historical game when they managed to bring Super Rugby Sides, the Cheetahs and Blue Bulls, to play in Zimbabwe for the first time.
Kyros director and founder, Kudakwashe Chirengende, yesterday told The Herald that their main aim was to drive Zimbabwe rugby forward and help lure foreign-based Zimbabweans who are reluctant to play for their country of origin.
“As Kyros we managed to get a side that was interested in playing a Zimbabwean representative here in Zimbabwe and that was Pumas (from Mpumalanga Province in South Africa) and we asked the Zimbabwe Rugby Union if they could get a side to play the Pumas.
“We’ve been working together with the Union (ZRU) and it has been a long time coming, I see it as natural progression not just because we brought Super Rugby sides here but because we also want to see the Sables developing,” said Chirengende.
For Zimbabwe, this will be a welcome way of starting their international season given that over the years the Sables would just get into the international season without playing any friendly games and coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge feels relieved.
“Obviously this is something we’ve always wanted so that we get into the regular season better prepared with a better position of knowledge in terms of the players I have.
“Though this isn’t a full international and foreign teams are most likely not going to release their players for this game, it’s a good opportunity for us to have a look at the junior or fringe players.
“The good thing about this game as well is that we’ve agreed to have squads of 30 players and all will be eligible to play on the day,” said Mandenge.
But this does not come without any challenges.
“Our biggest challenge at the moment is that we’re only training once a week, the numbers aren’t good but it’s happening because the players will be training with their clubs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and on Monday they’ll be at the Cheetahs training session.
“So this leaves us with only Wednesdays to get together and train.
“As for the team selection, we’re mainly looking at the majority of players we had last year because this game will take place prior to the domestic league starting,” said Mandenge. – sportszone.co.zw
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter