The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THE Zimbabwe A rugby squad is set to lock horns with Manicaland Rugby Select side on April 27 — three decades since a national team outfit last toured the eastern border city.
Manicaland Rugby Board chairman, Mos Kapumha confirmed that the Zim A team will be in Mutare as part of their preparations for the Africa Cup competition that will be played towards the end of May.
“Rugby is very much alive in the province. Manicaland Select finished of the Nedbank Challenge with a 20-26 loss to Old Georgians, and a win against Matabeleland Provincial Team 16-14.
“We had positive comments from the rugby fraternity on our performance and achievements. The interim national team coach, Pieter Benade at his unveiling in Harare, expressed interest to come and play the Manicaland Rugby team in Mutare on April 27,” Kapumha said.
This has not happened in the last 30 years.
The last time a national team played at Mutare Sports Club was in 1995 when Zim A faced Scotland before the team went on to play in the World Cup.
Far from the Zim A tour of Manicaland, the province had three of its ladies selected into the final Sables training squad.
The trio include Audrey Manase, Takudzwa Morosi and Paida Gwenzi.
They are currently in training camp in Harare.
Meanwhile, Hillcrest College travelled to South Africa to Krugersdorp ‘Best of the West’ Schools Rugby Tournament over the Easter holiday.
“They had it tough, but we hope they dust themselves off and have a go at the Pure Drop Tournament at St John’s College starting at end of April, running into first week of May,” said Kapumha.
He was full of praises for Mutare Polytechnic rugby team for their outstanding performance during the Technical Education Sports Association of Zimbabwe (TESAZ) Games held in Masvingo recently.
“We had a local tertiary institution, Mutare Polytechnic Rugby team affectionately known as the ‘Shumbas’ playing at the TESAZ Games in Masvingo. The games were held at Victoria High School.
“These boys coached by Armson Makumbe and Patron Innocent Manjoro had a fantastic bull run at the TESAZ. Not losing a single match out of the four they played is no easy feat.
“They scooped gold yet again in a space of less than six months. Mutare Polytechnic are the 2023 Zimbabwe University Sports Association (ZUSA) defending champions. The province is proud to see such a consistency dominating the sport at their level.
“We feel these boys are not celebrated enough. They are our ambassadors and they deserve a huge cheer. Which other provincial team across all disciplines has brought such success? This hopefully should inspire other tertiary institutions such as Mutare Teachers’, Marymount, Magamba and other youths to take up the sport,” said Kapumha.
