The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
A steep challenge is lying ahead for the Zimbabwe Sables following their failure to beat Morocco in their opening Rugby Africa Gold Cup at the Machinery Exchange Rugby Stadium inside Harare Sports Club on Saturday with their bid to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan in early jeopardy.
Namibia, 55-6 winners over Uganda lead the way in the Rugby Africa Gold Cup with five points, followed by Zimbabwe and Morocco on two each. Kenya and Tunisia are the other teams in the competition.
The Sables drew 23 all with the Atlas Lions in a match the Sables could have won had they taken their opportunities. Flyhalf, Lenience Tambwera and first centre Brendon Mandivenga had great chances of giving Zimbabwe the win in the second half but they failed to punish the Moroccans. In contrast, the Moroccan kicker, number 10 Hnidouch Chakir was not as charitable, slotting in three penalties which almost handed his side victory.
Zimbabwe’s handling skills were poor and too often they lost the ball going forward which meant that they never got many chances to test the Moroccan defence.
The Moroccans were just superior at the breakdown, bullying the Zimbabweans who were too often pinned for infringements at collision time. Of much concern is Zimbabwe’s lack of size seeing that they will face more physical opponents in their remaining Rugby Africa Gold Cup matches.
Sables coach Peter de Villiers, in his first international game in charge was of the view that there were a lot of optimism to take from Saturday’s fixture. He is convinced that the Sables are not yet out of contention for a place at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
“There is a lot of positives, we are not down and out but we are not very happy for not taking our chances,’’ De Villiers said.
One of those positives was the performance of fullback Shingirai Katsvere who scored two brilliant tries on debut and was solid on defence. The youngster seemed not overawed by the occasion and was the best Zimbabwean player on display against Morocco.
Meanwhile, Tahar Boujouala, the Royal Moroccan Rugby Federation president has thanked his Zimbabwe Rugby Union counterpart Aaron Jani for the warm hospitality during their stay in the country. Speaking at a dinner organised for the two teams, Boujouala expressed his gratefulness to Jani for ensuring that they were looked after as they came from Morocco eager to see how Zimbabwe will host them. The Moroccans arrived in Zimbabwe six days before their match against Zimbabwe.
“A big thank you to the president for the hospitality, we thank for you for the Zimbabwe team because we have a good game, we came from Morocco to see how your hospitality is,’’ Boujouala said through an interpreter.
Jani described Saturday as being a historic day since Zimbabwe were playing under a new coach De Villiers He expects the Sables to do better in their remaining matches.
“Today was a very special day for us Zimbabweans because it was the first match that we were playing with our brand new coach Peter de Villiers. It’s the first match that we’ve had this season in terms of international assignments. We had a lot of expectation and we really wanted to win this game but we have been given a chance to do better in the next game,’’ Jani said.
The function, bankrolled by Zerttew Resources was attended by ZRU vice presidents Losson Mtongwiza, Martin Shone, treasurer Justin Samudzimu, board member Josia Borerwe and women’s rugby boss Abigail Mnikwa. Sponsors were also represented at the function with Dairibord marketing director Tracey Mutaviri one of those in attendance.
Zimbabwe’s next assignment is away against Kenya on 30 June before they travel to Tunisia for a date against the North Africans on 7 July. The Sables face Namibia at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in Bulawayo on 4 August prior to rounding up their campaign away against Uganda on 18 August.
Winners of the Rugby Africa Cup will automatically qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup while the team in second place also has an opportunity to make it to Japan via the Repechage tournament where they will play against runners up from other continents.
The Sables have not been to the Rugby World Cup since 1991 when De Villiers’ assistant Brendan Dawson was the captain. It is yet to be seen if the current crop can recover from that display against Morocco and make it to Japan next year.
@Mdawini_29
