Zimpapers Logo

Mbachi Mutukula-Maregere Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-18 girls team got their campaign off to a good start when they beat Eastern Province 12-7 in the Girls Youth Week tournament at Glenwood High School in Durban, South Africa, on Monday.

The team is under the guidance of Nsikelelo “Sykes” Sibanda.

The tourney is expected to run for six days and the Zimbabwe team will play their second match against Borders today.

“I am so proud of the Zimbabwe Under-18 girls rugby team. They arrived in Durban after travelling on a bus for more than 24 hours and went on to beat Eastern Province,” Zimbabwe Women Rugby chairperson, Abigail Mnikwa, said.

“We believe they will do well in their forthcoming fixtures.”

The team’s participation is part of the initiative by the International Rugby Board to develop the sport for the girls.

ZRU chief executive, Colleen de Jong, hailed the team.

“We are all very excited and the team is a determined one and will definitely become a strong senior side in future,” said De Jong.

“The development programme is good for the girls and it is an initiative which was taken by the IRB to develop the sport among the girls.

“As ZRU we love this idea and it is not easy to play at an international tournament for the first time and start the event on high, but the girls have done it.

“We are going to ensure that we keep this team together even after the tournament.”

Some of the players who are representing Zimbabwe include Charlene Munhenga, Silva Chatizwa, Samukheliso Chamboko and the twins Karen and Koreen Muchabaiwa.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Under-17 team lost 17-24 to Griquas in the Craven Week festival at Bridgton Sports Grounds in Cape Town .

Team manager, Crispen Mhike, believes there is room for improvement.

“We are now looking forward to the next game and the boys will be ready for the challenge,” he said.