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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
YOUNG Sables coach Shaun de Souza says preparations for this year’s Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy title defence are well on course.
Speaking after watching some action at the Paramount Under-20 rugby competition at Old Hurrians Sports Club, De Souza said he was impressed with what he saw on exhibition.
“It’s good for our Under-20 technical team because we get to see some of the talent that we have not seen,” he said.
“Our performance system is operational. When we identify players we add them into our system as we go towards the Barthes Trophy.Our fixtures are set and our first game is on 22 April. We are excited and the boys are keen so that we qualify for the Junior World Trophy.
“Kenya will qualify as hosts and the winners of the Barthes Trophy are likely to be between Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia. We are trying to compete and defend our title.
“We just have to make sure our players have their mind set on the competition,” said De Souza.
Zimbabwe won the last edition of the Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy after beating Namibia 19-14 in the final played at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya in April 2022. They went on to have another successful campaign at the World Rugby U20s Canada Conference.
Zimbabwe won the high-profile tourney when they beat Chile 43-35 at the Guelph University in Ontario.
The victory secured a second overall finish for the Junior Sables in the four-nation series after beating hosts Canada 32-24 in the first match before going down to the eventual winners Uruguay. — @innocentskizoe
Online Reporter