Photo credit to The Heritage School Zimbabwe Facebook Page on May 29, 2023.
The Grant Khomo Week is a great platform for Zimbabwe Under 17 rugby to participate in.
Zimbabwe Under 17 team gearing up for youth week
The Zimbabwe under-17 rugby team is putting in the final preparations for the upcoming Grant Khomo Youth Week in South Africa.
In previous years the Zimbabwe Under 18 squad used to participate in the illustrious Craven Week. Over time the team was relegated to the Academy Week. There is still a lot to play for in the academy weeks as the level of rugby is still very high. The under-18 team will not be traveling to South Africa due to the fact that SARU is still under financial strain and will only be hosting four out of the traditional seven youth weeks. This leaves the spot for the under-17 team to be Zimbabwe’s flag bearer.
Change in venue for U16 Grant Khomo Week
As reported by the official Springboks website on Tuesday, the Grant Khomo Week for Under-16 boys will move to the premises of Hoër Landbouskool Boland in the Western Cape Winelands.
This program leads into the highly respected ‘Craven Week’ from July 3 which will be played at Hoërskool Outeniqua, George, from July 3. Then both under-16 girls and boys will compete at Jeppe High School for Boys in Johannesburg, from July 10.
Fierce rivalry for Junior Sables
Zimbabwe’s under 17’s opening encounter will be against fellow African rivals Namibia. The two nations have always competed fiercely against each other and this time will be no different. The young Zimbabwe side will be looking to notch up a victory in their first game. The Zimbabwe Under 17 boasts of players from some of the best rugby schools in Zimbabwe. Falcon College, St Johns, St Georges, Prince Edward, Churchill, and Lomagundi.
Schoolboy rugby in Zimbabwe has lots of flairs and always manages to pull large crowds. Seasoned coaches Max Madzima and Gordon Pangeti will look to inspire Zimbabwe Under 17 side. The team will be managed by Gavin Nyahwata.
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Excellent platform for players
The youth weeks have always been an excellent platform for players to showcase their talent. Great names in the history of Zimbabwe Junior rugby have passed through the Craven week. Two that come to mind are former springbok props Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Brian Mujati. The junior Sables will feel that they are carrying the hopes of a nation on their shoulders and will want to have a good outing at the tournament. A good showing at the youth week will put the Zimbabwe Junior Sables back in the conversation for Craven week.
As the Zimbabwe under-17 puts in their final preparations, they will have it in the back of their minds that this could be the beginning of a journey that will take them to all the places that they have always aspired to be with rugby. University scholarships, provincial rugby contracts, European club rugby contracts and ultimately representing their Country at the world cup. Whatever the destination is for them, they have already etched their names in Zimbabwe Junior rugby history and will do their best for the memory to be a great one in years to come.
Photo Credit: The Heritage School Zimbabwe Facebook Page on May 29, 2023.