B-Metro
Fungai Muderere
AFTER their breathtaking performance that saw them qualify for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy slated for Kenya in mid-July, the Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby team is appealing to corporates to reach out and help them with establishing a training camp, cover their travel, meals and accommodation costs.
The triumphant side is also asking for a World Trophy kit and funds that will cater for players and coaches’ welfare throughout their stay in Kenya amid revelations by team manager Hugh Vera that they were receiving a favourable response from a number of corporates.
“So far, the response has been fair and we are still appealing for more corporates to come through ahead of our tour to Kenya. At the moment, I can’t mention the corporates that have come through as it is still premature to do that. We will do that at the proper time,” said Vera.
The Junior Sables qualified for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy at the end of last month after a dominant victory against Tunisia in the semi-finals of the Rugby Africa Barthes U20 Trophy in Nairobi.
The Young Sables’ victory and Kenya’s 24-13 win against Namibia in the other semi-final meant Zimbabwe booked their ticket to the 2023 World Rugby Under-20 Junior Trophy slated for 15 to 30 July, also in Nairobi.
The World Rugby Under 20 Trophy is the second level of the World Rugby tournament structure for Under-20 national sides in which champions qualify for the top-tier competition, World Rugby Under 20 Championship 2024.
The Junior Sables have had a brilliant international run winning 11 out of 12 games including two Barthes Trophies making them back-to-back African Champions in 2022 and 2023.
At the World Cup finals, Zimbabwe will play in Pool A against Scotland, Uruguay, United States of America (USA) and Canada.
In their squad, Junior Sables have the quartet of exciting winger Alex Nyamunda, fullback Simbarashe Kanyangarara, inside centre Edward Sigauke and openside flank Muzuva Gutu, Shadreck Mandaza and Tanaka Chiyanga and fly-half Brendan Marume among others who have reportedly led their brilliant charge in the international run.
