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SPAIN, Hong Kong, Samoa, Fiji, Namibia, and the United States are all expected to touch down at the Harare International Airport this afternoon for the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy, marking a huge milestone in the history of Zimbabwean rugby.

Uruguay were the first side to arrive as they landed in the capital yesterday afternoon, three days after the trophy arrived in the country, and there was a handful of local rugby fans to welcome the South Americans.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union president John Falkenberg knows the value of hosting the global tournament, describing the staging of the tournament by his organisation as “the biggest Zimbabwe has come to hosting a World Cup” in rugby.

“This tournament (World Rugby Under-20 Trophy) is one of the major sports tournaments that has ever come to Zimbabwe.

“It’s the closest we will have as a nation to hosting something like a Rugby World Cup.

“It’s fantastic for our country . . . We are engaging people from diverse backgrounds, boosting tourism and marketing our country and I’m very honoured that I’m still in office for this period,” Falkenberg told a press conference.

This is only the second time the youth global tournament has been hosted by an African country, the only other time being in 2009 when Kenya had the honours to do so.

The tournament has also helped the ZRU to attract more sponsors, including Old Mutual who have been there for them in the past three years, into their corner.

“Other sponsors that have also come on board include ZOL, Schweppes, and we are very grateful for their support in these tough economic times.”

But for Zimbabwe to enjoy the tournament, the Young Sables also have to excel, something the ZRU director of rugby Brighton Chivandire believes the boys can do only if they work as a unit.

“We want to perform starting with the little things as a team, as a unit, and in sub units at world class level and if that does happen then we can get ourselves what we want,” said Chivandire.

“We are looking at performing well, this is our first time in four years in this competition and if we get two wins that would be great for a team that is coming back.

“Last year (in the Junior Africa Cup final) we were painfully close, it was more tactical than anything, we lost it in the last play where we needed to clear our line so those are the areas we needed to work on but we also looked at (other) particular areas.

“We are very grateful to World Rugby and the French (Rugby) Federation for their co-operation through the late Jean Luc who helped us to have sessions with the French coaches working with the forwards.

“We worked on the little things that make a big difference in the game and that benefited us all as players and coaches technically and tactically.”

Zimbabwe Squad

Forwards: Connor Pritchard (Falcon College), Aiden Burnett (St John’s College), Justin Mendelsohn (Sharks), Rodrick Mubaiwa (UK), Tinotenda Musasanura (CBC), Kudakwashe Ndoro (Prince Edward), Martin Shioma (Limpopo Blue Bulls), Stephen Bhasera (UJ), Jeff Makoni (PE), Tatenda Zhoya (UJ), Daniel Nyamugama (Freestate), Lebogang Ngwenya (USA), T. Muchena (SGC), K. Chisango (SGC), Tapiwa Mangwana (Aus).

Backs: Tadiwa Gochera (St Benedict’s College), Shingirai Katsvere (Prince Edward), Mudiwa Manhombo (St Benedict’s College), Tatenda Matoramusha (Prince Edward), Ernest Mudzengerere (Prince Edward), Tawanda Ngosi (Durban), Sam Phiri (Falcon), Tarisai Mapfumo (Kyle), Kudzaishe Munangi (Maritzburg), Angus Bruce (SGC), Takudzwa Gamanya (Kyle)

Coach: Brandon Brider

Assistant: Bob Mahari

Manager: Shaun de Souza

Physio: Maggie Gibson