The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THERE has been a change of date for the Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy Pool B tournament to be staged in Harare with the competition now to be played from 15 to 21 April.
Initially, the four-team tournament was meant to be played from 3 to 6 April but Zimbabwe Rugby Union president, Aaron Jani stated that those dates have had to be amended since school lodgings will be used and it would have been a challenge having it on those days.
“It was during school time, accommodation would have been a challenge,’’ Jani said.
On the likely venue, Jani gave indications that they were considering Prince Edward School and Heritage with PE standing a better chance.
“We are considering between Heritage and PE but it will most be likely take place at PE,” Jani said.
Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Madagascar are the countries set to take part in the tournament where the winner will gain promotion to pool A. The Farai Mahari-coached Zimbabwe, demoted from Group A will look to make a return to the elite pool, whose winner gets to qualify for the qualifiers for the Junior World Rugby Trophy.
Last year, the Young Sables were in the Under-20 Barthes Trophy South which was played in Namibia.
Zimbabwe were beaten 27-17 by eventual winners Namibia but made amends by thrashing Madagascar 100-15 to finish third.
