Sizeze humbled in Botswana
MBABANE – Eswatini’s rugby national team Sizeze had a disastrous outing in Botswana.
The national outfit were humbled111-3 by a relentless Botswana side styled Vultures away in Gaborone in the first test match played this past Saturday.
In temperatures that soared to over 30 degrees Celsius and a humidity of 30 per cent plus, Sizeze were forced to make three injury substitutions of key positions early in the first-half.
Without Sibusiso Dlamini, who is the team’s hooker; Menzi Mamba who plays a fly half; and Mongie Mohale in the second row; the team struggled to contain the opposition in the set pieces. However, Sizeze continued to play with both pride and passion.
Sizeze’s brilliant Centre Mancoba Dlamini stepped up to take over the kicking duties, which saw him convert a penalty for Eswatini’s only three points.
Debut
A total of eight players made their debut on the day and were all eager to perform at their best level for their country. The union is looking forward to their continued development in settling into the national team.
Vultures’ number six was crowned the Man of the Match after a great display on the field.
Eswatini Rugby Union President Simanga Magagula, who had travelled to Botswana on invitation by his counterpart in Botswana Rugby Union President Sean Irish, extended the union’s gratitude for the support given by Eswatini sports authorities, including Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) and Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA), who made it possible for the team to partake in the first test in five years.