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Ex-Sables coach honoured by IRB

Sport
FORMER Zimbabwe rugby team coach Ian McIntosh was on Monday recognised for his achievements by the International Rugby Board (IRB) after being presented with the prestigious IRB Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service 2013.

FORMER Zimbabwe rugby team coach Ian McIntosh was on Monday recognised for his achievements by the International Rugby Board (IRB) after being presented with the prestigious IRB Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service 2013.

SPORTS REPORTER

The Bulawayo-born ex-Springboks coach was one of three individuals who were honoured by the IRB in recognition of their efforts in changing the face of rugby in their respective countries.

Other individuals who were honoured include the IRB Special Development award recipient, Ange Guimera, a pioneer of Brazilian, Uruguayan and Ivory Coast Rugby and former Japan international Yoshiharu Yamaguchi.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The IRB Awards recognise those who have inspired and encouraged our family to grow, to thrive and reach out. These recipients are each wonderful examples of how, through their selfless dedication to our sport and its character-building values, Rugby can change lives, bring people together and provide tremendous camaraderie.”

McIntosh who was last year linked with a return to the Sables technical department grew up in Kwekwe and Bulawayo.

An injury, very early in his career ensured he never represented Zimbabwe at international level.

McIntosh became acquainted with coaching in the 1970s under the tutelage of the then Welsh Rugby Union coaching director Ray Williams.

He later took charge of the Zimbabwe rugby team for seven years, although his biggest achievement to date was taking charge of the South African national side. Six years after moving to South Africa, McIntosh steered the Sharks to their first-ever Currie Cup title in 1990 a feat they were to repeat in two of the three following years.

After a spell in charge of the Springboks in the build-up to Rugby World Cup 1995, McIntosh returned to the Sharks and delivered two more titles before retiring from coaching in 1999.

“Macc” as he is affectionately known, still remains heavily involved in Rugby through his role as a South Africa national selector.

In March, Macintosh was part of the group of Springboks Legends who played against Zimbabwe Legends in a rugby match to celebrate Hartsfield Stadium’s 75 years of existence.