Shaun De Souza might be Zimbabwe's busiest sports figure these days! He scrambles to finish preparations for the fourth Nedbank Rugby Challenge as Zimbabwe Junior Sables coach. At the same time, he puts together two Zimbabwe Under-20 teams that will compete in this event.
The yearly pre-season rugby tournament runs from March 29 through April 15 and features eight participating teams. Four teams come from top Harare clubs: Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club, Old Georgians, and Pitbulls. Two represent provinces: Matabeleland and Manicaland. The last two spots belong to Zimbabwe Under-20 squads. Officials divided these younger players into a Junior Sables team plus a developmental group called "Grassroots to Greatness."
"We can finally announce the Nedbank Rugby Challenge starts very soon," De Souza told reporters. "Everyone should expect an exciting tournament with provincial teams, Harare's best rugby clubs, and both Junior Sables squads. Everything begins March 29 at Harare Sports Club during week one, then continues with semi-finals April 5, and championship matches April 15."
This competition helps prepare Zimbabwe Under-20 players for the upcoming Barthes Trophy tournament. Zimbabwe hosts that international event from April 17-27. The Challenge offers a final opportunity for many aspiring Junior Sables athletes since De Souza plans to announce his official 30-player Barthes Trophy roster afterward. The stakes remain extremely high for everyone involved.
"We need to make small adjustments to our Challenge rosters, but I can tell you players showing maturity, experience, and improvement moved toward the main Junior Sables squad," explained the coach. "Our 'Grassroots to Greatness' team focuses on development, which means younger and less experienced athletes automatically fit there. Many players have one or two years left in that program, giving us chances to develop their skills and test their abilities against tougher competition."
The yearly pre-season rugby tournament runs from March 29 through April 15 and features eight participating teams. Four teams come from top Harare clubs: Old Hararians, Harare Sports Club, Old Georgians, and Pitbulls. Two represent provinces: Matabeleland and Manicaland. The last two spots belong to Zimbabwe Under-20 squads. Officials divided these younger players into a Junior Sables team plus a developmental group called "Grassroots to Greatness."
"We can finally announce the Nedbank Rugby Challenge starts very soon," De Souza told reporters. "Everyone should expect an exciting tournament with provincial teams, Harare's best rugby clubs, and both Junior Sables squads. Everything begins March 29 at Harare Sports Club during week one, then continues with semi-finals April 5, and championship matches April 15."
This competition helps prepare Zimbabwe Under-20 players for the upcoming Barthes Trophy tournament. Zimbabwe hosts that international event from April 17-27. The Challenge offers a final opportunity for many aspiring Junior Sables athletes since De Souza plans to announce his official 30-player Barthes Trophy roster afterward. The stakes remain extremely high for everyone involved.
"We need to make small adjustments to our Challenge rosters, but I can tell you players showing maturity, experience, and improvement moved toward the main Junior Sables squad," explained the coach. "Our 'Grassroots to Greatness' team focuses on development, which means younger and less experienced athletes automatically fit there. Many players have one or two years left in that program, giving us chances to develop their skills and test their abilities against tougher competition."
