The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE and South Africa rugby greats are expected to light up Victoria Falls, a usually sleepy town in terms of sport, at the end of this month. It will be the third edition of the fixture that traditionally pits yesteryear greats from Zimbabwe and South Africa. The match played more on a social level is sure to attract a huge crowd at Victoria Falls Primary School on 28 March. South African legends are expected to arrive in the resort town on 26 March. They will conduct a coaching clinic the following day for the benefit of up-and-coming rugby players in Matabeleland North.
Mooted by Zimbabwe-born former Springboks coach Ian McIntosh and Matabeleland Rugby Football Board Vice-chairman Sean Robinson in 2012, the first edition of the duel was staged at Hartsfield Rugby Ground in March 2013 as part of commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the stadium.
Last year, the match was played at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, the home of the South African franchise Sharks.
Zimbabwean greats have never tasted victory against their South African counterparts and the locals are hoping for better fortunes this time under the “smoke that thunders”.
The South African contingent will include notable players such as prop Lawrence Sephaka, centre Doppies le Grange, winger Henno Mentz, ex South Africa Sevens skipper Jonathan Mokoena and Werner Cronje.
Among the former Zimbabwean players are Brett Holloway, Brighton Chivandire, Constantine Dihna, Emmanuel Munyoro, Justin Buchanan, Paul Staak, Tapiwa Mangezi and Botswana based Zimbabwean Zilwele Khumalo.
However, the organisers have once again failed to bring to Zimbabwe some of the big name former Springboks like members of the 1995 Rugby World Cup winners or even some of the ex Sables stars. Robinson had earlier indicated that they were hoping 2007 Rugby World Cup winning Captain John Smit was going to be part of South African contingent but nothing seems to have materialised.
Former national team captains Brendan Dawson and Victor Olonga have also not been enticed to play in Victoria Falls.
The match being played in Victoria Falls should leave a lasting impression on aspiring rugby players in the resort town. Robinson indicated that they would include as many children for the coaching clinic to be conducted by the Springboks legends. The match proper would be played during a sports day at the school, which they believed would create more excitement among the children.
“The energy that the former Springboks bring with them is phenomenal so hopefully that will leave a lasting legacy for the school children of Matabeleland North. The results have not favoured us, we are getting closer, we are playing against some of the best in the world while we are just a bunch of amateurs,’’ Robinson said.
The organisers have partnered with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in order to bring in as much revenue as the coming of the South Africans will generate interest in neighbouring countries such as Zambia, Namibia and Botswana.
ZTA intend to utilise the presence of the former South African stars as a marketing tool for Victoria Falls as well as Zimbabwe as a preferred tourist’s destination.
A number of activities have been lined up for the three days that the former players will be in the resort town.
