Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup seems to have lit a fire under the country’s Un-der-20 team.
At least, that was the impression as Shaun De Souza and his Zimbabwe Under-20 squad left Haare for Abu Dhabi via Dubai in the early hours of yesterday for the World Schools Festival.
The sporting jamboree, slated for December 14-20, will see Zimbabwe tussle it out in the rugby main cup competition, where the Junior Sables and a High- Performance team will represent the country.
Eight teams are expected to take part in the competition, and these include Nasinu Secondary School (Fiji), Uganda Schools Select, TSC, Saint Kentigern College (New Zealand), Paul Roos Gimnasium (South Africa), Paul Roos Gimnasium 2 (South Africa), the Junior Sables (Zimbabwe), and a Zimbabwe High-Performance team.
De Souza has targeted giving his charges some much-needed exposure and blooding some of the younger players.
However, it appears as though his Junior Sables team intend to use the tour as an audition of sorts and try to impress senior national team coach Piet Benade.
As the Under-20 team prepared for their departure, their seniors impending return to the World Cup was a major topic.
Names like those of Edward Sigauke, Byran Chiang, Trevor Gurwe, Takudzwa Musingwini and Dion Khumalo were also topical, given that they are some of the more recent Junior Sables graduates who have gone on to secure places in the senior side.
“I remember when Zimbabwe qualified for the World Cup back in July, the first thing I put on my vision board was that I need to be on that flight to Australia come 2027,’’ said Andrew Maringa.
“I was excited, and I see this tour to Abu Dhabi as just the beginning of bigger things to come.
‘The goal is to put in the work, make an impression and do everything I can to make sure that I will be on that flight to Australia,’ he said.
For forward PK Manyakara, he has already had a taste of senior rugby, albeit with the Cheetahs (sevens).
However, now he has also set his sights on making a splash in the 15s game and following in the footsteps of former teammates Khumalo and Sigauke.
“Zimbabwe qualifying for the World Cup seems to have opened the door for everyone,’ said Manyakara.
“Now, everyone is praying, hoping, working hard and eager to go to that World Cup.
“For us, as Under-20s, this tour will give us a platform to actually express ourselves and hopefully catch the eyes of the senior national team coaching staff.
“Everyone will be watching, especially our Zimbabwean coaches, as they might be able to identify some young talents and that could lead to a call-up.
“You have got the likes of Dion (Khumalo) and Edward (Sigauke), they showed us that it can be done.
“I have played with both of them and Dion was one of the people that I looked up to when I went to Prince Edward.
“To then go on a share the park with him and wear the same jersey, it meant a lot and I want that feeling again.
“I have used these guys as examples when talking to some of the younger players and told them it can be done.
“It’s just your commitment and believing that you can do it that matters
“Playing for Sables and going to the World Cup is something we have all thought about and want to achieve.
“The training starts now, in Abu Dhabi,’ he said.
Manyakara is one of the players that De Souza will be looking to as it pertains to leading the team on the park at the World Schools Festival.
And the Bindura University student is taking that role seriously.
“While it would be cool to win all our games, the main goal here is to learn and absorb as much as possible and get a little exposure for some of the younger guys,’ he said.
“We will meet and play against future stars from England, South Africa, Fiji and even New Zealand, guys we will probably be seeing on television in a couple of years, so we have to learn and absorb as much as possi-ble.
Manyakara has also been offering some advice to the younger players in the squad.
“It’s all about the mindset.
“When these guys hear that these players are from England and New Zealand, it’s easy for them to cower down and be scared.
“However, I just feel like just making them (younger players) feel at home and feel comfortable within the team, that’s the best thing.
“That’s how they can get comfortable and be actually able to express themselves.
“I have been trying to instil some confidence in them and make them realise that all these guys from Eng-land, South Africa and New Zealand are human like us.
“There is nothing to fear,’ he said.
