Young Sables out to defend pride

THE best of Zimbabwe’s emerging rugby talent will take to the field tomorrow eager to retain the Barthes Trophy that they have won in the previous two championships.

It is a competition in which local rugby uses to gauge its strength against other countries on the continent minus powerhouse South Africa. It helps in the absence of a vibrant age group competition set up to have the cream of the Under-20 gang, fighting it out for the odd 28 slots selected for the competition.

They have national pride to defend apart from the title and would not have hoped for better than on home soil.

The Young Sables coach, Shaun De Souza says they are ready for their first Barthes Trophy encounter against Tunisia at Harare Sports Club, tomorrow afternoon.

De Souza believes the team has done enough to defend the title they have won in the last two years.

“We are confident ahead of the Tunisia clash. I have got a solid back line and we have to stick to our game plan. We don’t know what to expect from Tunisia, but we are ready for them. This is a round robin tournament and we just have to make sure we win all our matches,” said De Souza.

He says the morale in camp is high.

“The mood is great in camp. There is excitement from the boys and they are ready to deliver. We are the defending champions and we are playing at home, which should be an advantage for us,” said De Souza.

The competition is named after the late World Rugby’s Services Manager, for Africa, Jean-Luc Barthes.

Organised by Rugby Africa, the Barthes Under-20 Trophy is the official African Rugby Championship for national teams in the age bracket.

The Barthes Trophy has unearthed future stars of the African game over the years and continues to serve as a talent identification platform and elite player pathway.

This year, four teams will take part in the competition and these are: Zimbabwe, Namibia, Kenya and Tunisia.

The winner of the Barthes Trophy tournament will secure qualification for the 2024 World Rugby U20 Trophy, the 14th edition of the second-tier age-grade rugby competition.

This year, the tournament will be held in Scotland for the first time, specifically at the 7 800-capacity Edinburgh Rugby Stadium in Edinburgh.

Match Day 1 at the Barthes Trophy, will see Kenya face off against Tunisia in the early kick-off while Zimbabwe will take on Tunisia in the late kick-off. Match Day 2, will witness Kenya also known as Chipu, going head-to-head against Tunisia while Zimbabwe will play against Namibia.

On Match Day 3, Namibia will play against Tunisia, and Zimbabwe is set to battle it out against Kenya. Zimbabwe Under-20 secured victory in the last two editions, notably defeating Kenya 28-7 in the final at Nyayo Stadium in 2023.

Junior Sables Squad

Fowards: Samuel Edwards, Louange Mutimawurukundo, Emmanuel Gabi, Tawanyasha Bwanya (Co-captain), Thabani Ndlovu, Joseph Benning, Innocent Dekete, Allan Mawunga, Tatenda Runyowa, Kudzai Tsvakirai, Huntsmann Greaves, Tafara Dewa, Giordan Sarpo, Polite Phiri, Takudzwa Matsvimbo, Rogers Tayengwa

Backs: Koluwani Moyo, Tinotenda Rusike, Emmanuel Magutakuona, Alex Kern, Brendan Jameson, Shammah Jackson, Benoni Nhekairo (Co-captain), Tadiwanashe Unganai, Wayne Kunaka, Tadiwa Maradze, Kaitano Tembo, Tadiwa Madya, Cody Grant, Tanaka Mupamhadzi, Vuyani Ncube, Edward Sigauke

Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy Fixtures

Matchday 1 April 20:

Kenya vs Tunisia 2pm, Zimbabwe vs Tunisia

Matchday 2 24 April:

Kenya vs Tunisia 2pm, Zimbabwe vs Namibia 4pm

Matchday 3 Sunday 28 April:

Namibia vs Tunisia 2pm, Zimbabwe vs Kenya 4pm

—@innocentskizoe