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Innocent Kurira, Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE is set to host this year’s rugby edition of the highly anticipated Barthes Trophy competition which will run from April 20-28 in Harare.
Zimbabwe are the defending champions of the competition which is the only junior tournament in Africa.
The contest has eight countries that take part annually.
The participating countries are Kenya, Namibia, Senegal, Madagascar, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) president Martin Shone said the organisation is excited to be hosting the competition.
“We are excited to be hosting the Barthes Trophy as the defending champions.
“We are glad that we get to defend the title in front of our home fans who will be excited to see the champions play in their own home ground.
“This gives us an opportunity to have youngsters in the country watching international rugby. We would like to thank the sports commission for the support they continue to give us. This also shows that as a union we are doing something right as Rugby Africa is willing to have us host such a big tournament,” said Shone.
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. The tournament, which serves as Africa’s Under-20 championship is played on a knockout basis.
The Junior Sables have won the previous two editions of the competition. In 2022 Zimbabwe were champions after they beat Namibia 19-14 to end an 11-year trophy drought. Last year they won the competition after beating Kenya 28-7. — @innocentskizoe
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