‘Superior strength wins day for OGs’

that led their rivals Old Georgians to win the National Rugby League title ahead of his side.
The Dragons beat Sports Club in injury-time at the Lions Den in pretty much the same way they fell to the same club at the same venue last year.

But that was not all for the Dragons who are set to wrap up the Spar Sevens Summer Series tournament at Old Hararians Sports Club today with the games starting at 11am.
Rugby dominance in the league has over the past few years shifted to Old Georgians who have claimed titles in both the XVs league and in the Sevens version of the game.
They also provide the bulk of the players to the respective national teams.

However, with the shift of power moving from Sports Club to Old Georgians, Makombe – who is now based in South Africa where he is playing for University of Western Cape Province – believes players should make serious use of the off season to condition themselves.
Old Georgians have, within their ranks, Cheetahs fitness trainer Grant Mitchell, who is regarded as the best physical fitness coach in the rugby fraternity, and is also the general manager of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.

“Off season is a period where players should rehabilitate themselves in terms of their injuries, and they should embark on intense strength and conditioning practice, which I think is probably the factor why OGs achieve better results ahead of other clubs as they have the expertise of Grant Mitchell.
“Coaches should not fully be responsible for this task but unfortunately in Zimbabwe they work beyond their call of duty as we don’t have many strength and conditioning coaches.

“Rugby is not just a contact sport but rather a high collision game.
“It’s very important that all clubs and players pay attention to gym strength testing conditioning and eating the right diet and supplements if necessary,” said Makombe.
The Sables trialist is not alone at WPU where he is in the company of Sables’ hooker Tatenda Karuru and Sables flanker Njabulo Ndlovu.

He feels that having more players exposed to conditions abroad would work for the development of the game in Zimbabwe.
But at WPU the former Churchill Bulldogs captain is not playing his traditional midfield role.

“I like outside centre because it’s physically and mentally demanding.
However, here (at WPU) I am a wing as I have quite some gas to burn and I only thank God for my talent.

“I also used to play fullback and maybe one day l might come back to centre again.”
With the current junior structures, Makombe feels the Sables will be able to make it for the 2015 Rugby World Cup as they have gained promotion into Group 1A.

At the moment Group 1A consists of Kenya – who fell to Zimbabwe twice this year – Morocco, Tunisia and Namibia but the team that finishes bottom of the group after today’s games in Kenya will be demoted to Group 1B and Zimbabwe will replace them.
“Our Under-20s are definitely special and over the last couple of years they have been consistent and they certainly are keeping the rugby fraternity with hope as talented players like (Takudzwa)

Chieza (Kyle Colege), (Lenience) Tambwera (Churchill), Preston Bryant (St Johns’ College) and (Mathew) Mandioma are the future stars.
“The Sables have a great future especially if the corporates chip in because we have potential to be at the World Cup, and with seniors like Danny Hondo, Costa Dinha and Jacques Leitao, we the

young players have great examples to look up to and carry the vision forward.
“Coaches and the whole management team certainly worked hard this year and the results said it all.

“But I feel blessed to play at this level as I will next year be playing in the Varsity Cup and it will be great exposure for me and I believe this is a great stepping stone to where I want to be.
“The selection was tough here as there is lots of talent from the locals and players are exposed to rugby at an earlier age than most of the juniors in Zimbabwe.”