Eswatini, SA teams for Machaka Rugby Fest
MBABANE – More than one team from South Africa is expected to participate in the Machaka 8-Nations Rugby Festival next month.
The club competition, hosted by Mozambique annually and features eight countries every December, is said to have attracted more countries including teams from South Africa. This is set to see it grow from being an Eight Nations Tournament.
Eswatini is also expected to be represented as Mbabane Cheetahs Rugby Club have already been invited. They will also be sending both male and female teams to the tournament that features teams from the various countries in the region.
“This has all along been an 8-Nations Festival, but what I’ve gathered now is that it will no longer be that as more countries from SADC are showing interest, including South African teams,” Mbabane Cheetahs Rugby Club Communications Officer Temacusi Shongwe had said when questioned about the latest interest in the Mozambique tournament.
Shongwe pointed out that Eswatini was part of the organising committee, which was an advantage because they knew the details of each edition well on time. Meanwhile, Cheetahs ladies will be going to Mozambique for a mini four-team tournament comprising the host country, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
Only Cheetahs from Eswatini got the invite and they will be sponsored by Canon and Wear Well XI for this one. They expect to leave mid this month, but all dates will be confirmed in due course. She further appealed to other businesses to support them as a growing club in the sport.