Rugby fiesta for Bulawayo

Sports Reporter
RUGBY fans are in for a treat tomorrow at Bulawayo’s ceremonial home of the sport Hartsfield Grounds where 18 teams will compete in the Spar Summer Sevens Series.
Eight National Rugby League Southern Region clubs – defending champions Western Panthers, Busters, Old Miltonians, Gweru Sports Club, Zvishavane Bulls, National University of Science and Technology, Masvingo and Bulldogs will battle it out in the seniors’ category.

Ten teams will also compete in the National Secondary School Heads (Nash) Sevens tournament with their matches kicking off in the morning. Matabeleland Under-21 Select will join Bulawayo secondary schools, Entumbane, Milton, Ihlathi, Njube, Msiteli, Sobukhazi, Northlea, Sizane and Nkulumane in the Nash competition.

A member of the rugby extravaganza organising committee Rueben Kumpasa said the stage is set for the tournament and they are expecting explosive matches.
“This competition is part of the pre-season preparation for clubs and this is where you get to see latest acquisitions that teams have made. This time around we have decided to add spice to the series by including schools because we believe that the future of rugby lies in the grassroots and schools are the right place to capture that talent,” said Kumpasa.

Prop Irvine “Bhuda” Nduwa made a sensational move, dumping defending Spar Summer Sevens champions Western Panthers for Busters. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to help his new side take the title away from Western Panthers.

National team fringe player Tapiwa “Endo” Mangezi who missed the better part of last season’s second half due to an injury is likely to play with Busters captain Lloyd Machanjaire leading his star-studded side that has Cleopas Makotose, national Sevens’ Lucky Sithole, Brian Dube, experienced Ozzie Lynx and Kudzi Mutsekenyedzi.

Western Panthers coach George “Rollo” Mukorera said he would field most of the players who won the Zimbo Under-21 Cup.

“We see this as a developmental competition and an opportunity for the boys to get game time. There will be few changes to the team as I want to maintain the squad that won the Under-21 tournament. It will be tough but we are capable of defending our title,” said Mukorera.

Centre player Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Lwazi Phulu and Tarisai Sibanda are some of the players Mukorera can bank on. Old Miltonians’ campaign is likely to be led by Tawanda Mhora, Presly Ndlovu, Andrea Banda, Kudzai Mashawi, Tinashe Toriro and backline player Mduduzi Nlegbwa-Dube.