THE third edition of the Under-21 version of the Zimbo Rugby Cup gets underway today at Hartsfield Grounds in Bulawayo. REPORT BY VITALIS MOYO SPORTS REPORTER The Under-21 version of the cup was launched in 2010 with Old Miltonians (OMs) lifting the title at its inception and Busters taking the honours in 2011 while last year the competition did not take place.
The Under-21 version uses the same format and fixtures as Under-20 version with the same four teams competing for honours over the next four weeks. The final is scheduled for February 23.
Matabeleland Rugby Football Board (MRFB) vice-chairman Sean Robinson told NewsDay Sport yesterday that the Under-21 competition would be used to select a squad for the province.
“The objective of holding the Under-21 competition is to bridge the gap between senior players and school leavers. We want to maintain the talent that comes from schoolboy rugby going into senior level. Hopefully, by doing so, we are going to have these boys playing at national level,” Robinson said.
“The teams will be retaining the talent and the services of the same core players that were participating in the Under-20 competition with a few more senior players being added to beef up the squads,” Robinson added.
The defending champions will introduce three players into the squad that competed in the Under-20 competition to improve their backline which saw them fail to retain the Under-20 cup.
Fly-half Brian Dube, who plays for the national Under-22 side, centre Tinevimbo Duraure and Dester Mutete will be coming into the side hoping to help Busters to defend their title this time around.
Panthers are going into this tournament as favourites having lifted the just-ended Under-20 Cup with OMs and Busters being the major threats to their quest for the title.
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Robinson said that MRFB was yet to confirm the matches lined up for the Under-21 provincial sides while the Under-20 squad is set play Botswana on March 9, South African side Germiston Rugby club on March 23, as well as Blue Bulls who are yet to confirm the dates. In the opening match today, Panthers take on Bulldogs while the much-anticipated OMs-Busters clash comes later on in the day.
