adminCAPE TOWN. — The Zimbabwe Under-18 schools rugby side are today aiming for an unbeaten run at the National Girls Under-18 Festival after posting two wins over South Western Districts and Limpopo Blue Bulls in Kimberly.
Under the mentorship of veteran coach Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda, the girls’ rugby side defied all odds to write their piece of history when they finished in the top three in their debut appearance at the South African festival in Durban.
Zimbabwe won two of their three games, taking the opener 12-7 over highly-rated Eastern Province (EP), before falling 27-0 to Border but got their act back together in their final game to get the better of South Western Districts winning 19-0.
However, this year they are aiming to go one better to finish the tournament unbeaten as they have a date against Eastern Province, who lost their first game 3-12 to Western Province.
“Basing on what we saw when EP played, we are looking at playing a running game.
“The psychology of the players is strong, they want to win,” said Sibanda.
The Zimbabwe schools’ Under-17 boys side will be aiming to bounce back from their 12-20 loss to Valke on Wednesday to register a win over Namibia in the Grant Khomo Festival in Paarl.
After an impressive start with a 41-0 thumping of Border Country Districts, Zimbabwe came short against Valke, who proved too strong in attack and in defence.
“We had a slow start against Valke, we aim to run the ball more and play expansively against Namibia.
“We know they are a physical side but we will play a passing and running game,” said Under-17 team manager Cris Mhike.
Coached by Gordon Pangeti, Zimbabwe Under-13 Schools rugby yesterday suffered yet another defeat following a 30-7 loss at the hands of Border on day three of the Craven Week Festival at Paarl Gymnasium.
The tourists got their only try of the game through Nkosana Sikala, three minutes into the second half, and Alex Whitfield made full use of the bonus points to give Zimbabwe their seven points.
Scorers
Zimbabwe
Try: Sakala
Conversion: Whitfield
Border
Tries: Nicholson, Mjali (x2), Bishop, Pharo
Conversions: Pharo (1)
Penalties: Zixesha (1)
Zimbabwe Under-13: Cedric Masiiwa, Oliver Paterson, Daniel Mazorodze (David Yosa 46’), Tanaka Ndoro, Alex Nyamunda, Nkosana Sikala, Takudzwa Zvomuya (Tawonaishe Mapani 46’), Tavonga Tawonezvi, Panash Zuze, Alex Whitfield, Rly Nyakura (Simbarashe Kanyangarara 37’), Giles Munyamana, Tawanda Matipano, Tadiwanashe Kavhura, Tapiwanashe Hungwe.
Border Under-13: Amahle Mafuta, Oyama Mtumane, Mangaliso Zixesha, Asiziwe Ntentile, Eli van Schoor, Daniel Dueschmann, Guy Bishop, Chulu Mvalo, Curwin Casper, Juan Jeggels, Hlomla Madikane, Sake Ndabambi, Dywane Pharo, John Smith, Tihamo Mjali (Siyambonga Stefane 48’). — sportszone.co.zw
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