Rugby fanatics were in for treaty on Saturday as Zimbabwe played host to four South African rugby giants in a pre-season tournament held at National Sports Stadium.
The Old Mutual Super weekend saw reigning South African champions, Fly Emirates Lions,DHL Stormers, Vodacom Blue Bulls and the Toyota Cheaters taking to the field.
First to take to the field were the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Fly Emirates Lions before DHL Stormers romped to victory after outshining the Cheaters 41-7.
The tournament which was in its second edition attracted sizable crowd, and fans could not their joy of witnessing the rugby giants in action.
“I’m very happy to have been able to watch these historic matches as we have been condemned to watching our local rugby which is not that lucrative compared to what we saw today,” said Emily, a staunch Stormers fan, who was in the company of her family.
Her father, Eddy Erasmus, added that although he is a keen follower of the Super Rugby championships, the atmosphere of watching live action was different from that of watching on the silver screen.
“It’s absolutely delightful to be sitting here and supporting my team. I’m used to watching the boys on television, but tell you what; it’s absolutely different from being right in the thick of action,” said a delighted Eddy.
A young Bulls, fan, Bekhinkosi Dhlomo, who flew all the way from Bulawayo in the company of his parents could not hide his joy at being able to see his idol , Trevor Nyakane in person and even went as far as getting a picture taken with the big forward.
Following the successful hosting of the event by Kyros management in partnership with Old Mutual a section local fans has called on the local rugby motherbody Zimbabwe Rugby Union to organise more of such games as they work as enough motivation for future stars.
“If these games can be played annually, we will see the development of rugby in the country as most of us will be looking to such big stars for motivation. After these matches, I’m determined to make it one day into any of the top South African teams. It would be an honor to play alongside any of those stars,” said Lionel, an Upper 6 student at Churchill School, one of the leading schools when it comes to producing rugby players.
With the Zimbabwean top flight rugby league failing to attract good enough sponsorship, many promising rugby players end up finding their way into South Africa to play for the lower leagues teams while hoping to finally make the grade to play top tier rugby.
A number of Zimbabwean have left the country in search of better fortunes with Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira , being one of the high profile players who have switched their allegiance to other nations as he now commands the Springbokes’ frontline.
