New rugby season beckons

Brandon Moyo

THE long awaited return of rugby is nearly over with the Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Under-20 league set to get the season up and running next weekend.

A traditional season opener, the league will feature six clubs, five from Bulawayo and one from Gwanda. It is a development league that also paves the way for the schoolboy rugby season that soon follows.

Defending champions Old Miltonians (OMs) will face the challenge from Matabeleland Warriors, Highlanders, Bulldogs, Panthers and Matabeleland Lions from Gwanda in the 2025 edition of the league.

With all the men’s clubs confirming, in the women’s division only Panthers, Highlanders and Bulldogs have affirmed their participation.

Not only will the tournament feature the six clubs but also schools. Five schools, yet to confirm their participation, were invited. The schools that were invited are Christian Brothers College (CBC) Hornets, Milton Elephants, Petra Spartans, Gifford Stingers and Founders High School.

Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, tournament director George Hlatshwayo said all is in place and were looking forward to an enthralling league with highly competitive matches. He said it is the platform for youngsters to put their names up for Junior Sables selection.

“Preparations are at an advanced stage, all local clubs have confirmed participation. We are now ready to get the games going. Field preparations are at an advanced stage. This tournament will be used as a platform for our Under-20s to showcase their skills and raise their hands for national team selection.

We are hoping to invite the Junior Sables’ technical team to come down this side and witness our boys showcasing their talent.

“This league will also be used by the participating schools as preparation for their schoolboy calendar to try out new combinations. For the past few years, schools that have been in this league have gone on and performed well during the schools calendar,” said Hlatshwayo.

After the conclusion of the Under-20 league, the Archer Clothing Rugby League is set to get underway soon after with OMs also starting the season defending champions after beating Warriors in an enthralling final last year.

The first half of the league games will be played on the Hartsfield Rugby Grounds B Field since the main field is undergoing maintenance.