Springboks win Old Mutual finals
BULAWAYO side, Springboks were crowned champions of the Old Mutual Tag rugby Under-12 league national finals recently held at Hartsfield.
A total of 24 teams took part in the one-day event, with representatives from Bulawayo, Harare, Hwange, Victoria falls, Esigodini, Matopo and Masvingo. They came from the various tag rugby leagues being run in most parts of the country.
Both boys and girls were incorporated into the teams that partook in the event which were grouped into four pools that contested to reach the knock out stages.
In a highly anticipated final match that managed to produce tears and spills, Springboks grappled with Black Rhinos from Hwange and humbled their opponents 45-28 to be crowned champions of this year’s league national finals.
The Bulldogs representing Bulawayo won the bowl trophy in another match where they defeated Chogugudza from Harare. Shingirayi from Harare took the plate with victory over Mhungudza of Masvingo.
In an interview at the end of the tournament, Tag Rugby Trust Zimbabwe country manager Tinashe Shamu said the tournament was overwhelmingly successful.
He said all the 144 teams that were part of the leagues got Old Mutual playing uniforms.
“The tournament was very successful and a testament of the community programs that the Tag Rugby Trust Zimbabwe initiated around the nation and the level of tag rugby exhibited by the youngsters was impressive which shows the improvement of the coaches,” he said.
The provincial project director for Harare Desmond McDonnell commended the support shown by Old Mutual.
“This is the second year working together with Old Mutual and their support has been fantastic and we are very grateful for the sponsorship,” he said.