ZIMBABWE Men and Women’s Rugby Teams dominated the just-ended Zambia 10s Independence Challenge Cup over the weekend at the Showgrounds in Lusaka, Zambia.
RS Raiders Rugby Club won the women’s tournament while Wise Owl High School won gold in the youth tournament.
The Zimbabwe Clubs could have been a clean sweep at the Uhuru Rugby Challenge Cup had Harare Sports Club managed their game time better in the semi-finals.
Sportivo conceded a last gasp try with virtually the last action of the match when they were leading 12-10, subsequently losing 15-13.
Zimbabwe clubs managed to come back home with two trophies from a possible three, underlying their dominance at the tournament. The feat proves much sweeter considering that Zambian clubs have been playing rugby whilst in Zimbabwe; the sport was disrupted by the Covid-19 induced lockdown and only resumed last month.
Raiders’ performances did not escape the eye of the organisers, with Prosper Mubayiwa, the assistant coach, being asked to stay behind and help Red Arrows compete in their local Sevens tournament the weekend after.
Many Zimbabwe players and coaches have made the great trek northwards, with almost all men’s teams having Zimbabweans in their side.
Former Sables and Cheetahs players Steve Hunduza and Willis Magasa are the most prominent names from Zimbabwe that have made Zambia their new home.
Hunduza is a player-coach at Diggers, whilst Magasa doubles up as Zambia Sevens assistant coach and head coach of Mufulira Leopards.
