Online Reporter
Innocent Kurira [email protected]
JUNIOR Sables coach Shaun De Souza says Zimbabwe have “something to prove” when they face old rivals Kenya in the semi-finals of the 2026 Barthés Trophy in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday.
The clash presents the Junior Sables with an opportunity to erase the disappointment of back-to-back defeats to the East Africans, who have emerged as one of Zimbabwe’s fiercest rivals at Under-20 level.
Kenya denied Zimbabwe a third successive Barthés Trophy title when they claimed a 28-13 victory in the 2024 final before registering another win over the Junior Sables on Zimbabwean soil, a result that still lingers painfully in the camp and has added extra motivation heading into this latest encounter.
With the two teams set to renew their rivalry on neutral territory, De Souza believes his youthful side is ready to rise to the occasion despite fielding a significantly changed squad that has had to quickly build cohesion in a short space of time.
“It’s going to be an interesting meeting Kenya in the semi-finals. First game of the tournament. We do have our feelings with Kenya. They beat us here at home two times in a row, so we definitely have something to prove,” said De Souza.
“Hopefully on neutral ground it will be fair play for both of us, so let’s see the best man win. I think they have the upper hand because they have retained most of their players from last year and we have only retained four players.
“We have planned around that and put in the work. We have analysed their team and their strengths. Hopefully we can neutralise their strengths and be more physical in our contacts and hopefully we capitalise on our speed and agility. The boys have responded well in training and there is a real sense of belief in the group.”
Zimbabwe head into the tournament with a largely rebuilt squad following the departure of most of last year’s players, while Kenya have benefited from continuity by retaining the bulk of their team, giving them a clear advantage in experience and combinations.
Despite acknowledging Kenya’s experience, De Souza is confident the Junior Sables have done enough preparation to close the gap. The coach believes matching Kenya physically while making full use of Zimbabwe’s pace and agility will be key to securing a place in the final, and ultimately shifting the balance of this growing rivalry.
The revamped Barthés Trophy will be held in Kampala from August 7 to 15 under Rugby Africa’s new split-tier format. Zimbabwe, Kenya, defending champions Namibia and Tunisia make up the elite Performance Division, with the winners of Friday’s semi-finals advancing to the championship final.
Victory over Kenya would not only send Zimbabwe into the title decider but also provide the perfect response after two painful defeats to the East Africans, while also restoring confidence in a squad still finding its identity.
For De Souza and his players, Friday’s contest is about far more than reaching another final. It is an opportunity to show that the next generation of Junior Sables is ready to restore Zimbabwe’s place at the summit of African Under-20 rugby and announce themselves on the continental stage with a statement performance.
