Cheetahs reign in Harare
Tournament hosts, the Zimbabwean Cheetahs pleased a roaring home crowd by defeating the SA Buffaloes 24-14 in the Cup Final of the Zimbabwe International Sevens tournament on Sunday.
Star wing Wesley Mbanje lived up to his reputation taking two heroic runs that resulted in tries in the first half.
Zimbabwe were using the tournament as a preparatory phase in their quest to gain core membership in the IRB Sevens rugby circuit. Victory over the hard tacking Buffaloes came much easier after defensive loopholes were sealed and ball possession resulted in openings for the wings.
The Cheetahs qualified for the final by beating the South African academy team 14-0 in the Cup semifinal, but a spokesman for the academy side, Vuyo Zangqa, said that the match was not a true reflection of their aptitude.
The South Africans were gutted a by a Mike Morris try two minutes before full time which ruled them out of the Cup. They salvaged some pride after a Plate Final 26-12 win against Zimbabwe's Goshawks.
"It was an unfortunate situation, I think the Cheetahs played well, but on the day we were better. If you look at the opportunities and chances we could have taken, that game would have gone our way easily in the first half," said Zangqa.
The decider went in favour of the Zimbabweans five minutes into the second half and the hosts were awarded a penalty on the five yard line which resulted in Morris' try.
However, the academy's main mission was achieved as the team proved that they are a very potent side and confirmed that South Africa's Sevens future remains remains bright with two of the boys, just out of school, standing out during the tournament.
"If you look at all the boys former school boys we fielded you will see that they are all playing very well. Kwagga Smith and Werner Kok is playing well and definitely they have a future in Sevens if just keep working on them and to build them better then things will be great for them," concluded Zangqa with a tone of great optimism.
By Jeffrey Danai Murimbechi, in Harare