Zim rugby shines in Junior Africa Cup

biggest surprise.
Having been roped into the tournament as last minute replacements for Uganda in Pool B, the Harare Select was hastily-assembled just two days before the tournament kicked off.
Harare Select first beat Zambia 27-14 in their opening game of the tournament last Saturday and on Wednesday put up a strong showing in the second half to thrash Morocco 38-8 having led 8-5 at half-time.
The Young Sables put up a polished performance for a 42-0 hiding of Tunisia having struggled with an unconvincing 13-10 win over Kenya last Saturday.
While the Young Sables are playing for a slot at the JWRT, Harare Select is providing a platform for some of the fringe players to prove that they have what it takes to make it into the main team.
However, for the technical team and Zimbabwe Rugby Union, the withdrawal of Uganda came as a blessing in disguise as they have a chance to develop players for future tournaments, including the 2013 edition of the JWRT.
“We have to take advantage of such happenings and to us this is a chance to expose the players that we have to international rugby and we are not only looking at this tourney but grooming them for the future,” said Harare Select coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge. Harare Select are on top of Pool B with 10 points from two games as they have collected both winning points and bonus points.
They will meet Madagascar in the main curtain raiser to the Young Sables’ Junior Africa Cup final tie against Namibia tomorrow at Prince Edward school.
In Pool A, the Young Sables are in second position, a point behind former champions Namibia, whom they have to beat in the final tomorrow, if they are to get the sole ticket for the JWRT 2013.
Statistics
Results
Pool A : Namibia 44, Tunisia 7; Zimbabwe 13, Kenya 10 ; Namibia 39, Kenya 11 ; Zimbabwe 42, Tunisia 0
Pool B : Madagascar 39, Morocco 17; Harare Select 27, Zambia 14 ; Madagascar 18, Zambia 5 ; Harare Select 38, Morocco 8.
Tomorrow’s Fixtures : Morocco v Zambia, Tunisia v Kenya, Harare Select v Madagascar, Zimbabwe v Namibia.
Current Standings
Pool A
P    W    L    D    PF    PA    BPts    Pts
Namibia    2    2    0    0    83    18    2    10
Zimbabwe    2    2    0    0    55    10    1    9
Kenya    2    0    2    0    21    52    1    1
Tunisia    2    0    2    0    7    86    0    0
Pool B
P    W    L    D    F    A    BPts    Pts
Harare S    2    2    0    0    65    22    2    10
Madagas    2    2    0    0    57    22    1    9
Zambia    2    0    2    0    19    45    0    1
Morocco    2    0    2    0    25    77    0    0