The fourth edition of the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup kicks off this weekend at Harare Sports Club, cementing its status as Zimbabwe’s favourite rugby festival. Designed to elevate the sport at all levels, this year’s spectacle blends high-octane senior men’s clashes with groundbreaking opportunities for women’s rugby, youth development, and critical squad selections ahead of international campaigns.
Central to the tournament’s narrative is the Junior Sables U20 men’s setup, led by head coach Shaun de Souza. With the Barthes Trophy—Africa’s U20 championship—looming in April, de Souza faces the unenviable task of trimming his preliminary squad to a final 35-man roster. The Challenge Cup serves as a proving ground, with aspiring talents from the Nedbank Grassroots to Greatness U20 development squad and the Junior Sables U20 team vying for selection. For many youngsters, standout performances here could fast-track their careers onto the continental stage.
In the senior men’s division, defending champions Harare Sports Club (HSC) enter as favourites, eyeing a historic fourth consecutive title. Yet competition promises to be fierce. Traditional rivals Old Georgians and Old Hararians bring pedigree and tactical nous, while the Pitbulls—known for their physicality—aim to disrupt the established order. A marquee fixture pits the Pitbulls against the Nedbank Grassroots to Greatness U20 side, offering fans a glimpse of tomorrow’s stars battling seasoned campaigners.
This year, however, the tournament’s most transformative strides lie in its amplified focus on women’s rugby. For the first time, the Zimbabwe Sables Women’s senior team and Junior Sables U20 Women will feature prominently, marking a milestone for gender inclusivity in local rugby. The Lady Sables, preparing for June’s Rugby Africa Division One tournament in Ivory Coast, open the festival with a historic clash against their U20 counterparts. This match not only tests depth but also signals a long-term investment in women’s structures, aligning with global trends toward equity in the sport.
Yet the stakes remain high: for de Souza, finalising a Barthes Trophy squad; for the Lady Sables, building cohesion ahead of Abidjan; and for HSC, defending a legacy.
As Zimbabwean rugby seeks to reclaim its foothold on the continental stage, the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup offers more than entertainment—it is a catalyst for growth. With women’s rugby ascending, youth structures deepening, and club rivalries intensifying, this festival encapsulates the sport’s evolving identity in Zimbabwe.
All roads lead to Harare Sports Club this weekend. The tackles will be ferocious, the tries electrifying, but the true victory lies in the promise of progress.
