Round 2 of the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup served up a fiery fixture that had all the ingredients of a classic: youth vs experience, rising talent vs national pedigree, and pride on the line. The Junior Sables, riding high after an impressive victory over Old Georgians in Round 1, walked into a lion’s den as they clashed with the dominant force of Zimbabwean club rugby—Old Hararians (OH).
OH aren’t just any club. They’re the standard-bearers of Zimbabwean rugby, winners of the Paramount Garment League three years running, and with their eyes set firmly on a fourth. What sets them apart is the depth of talent and leadership within their ranks—this is a team laced with senior Men’s Sables, including Dion Khumalo, Aiden Burnett, Darryl Makwasha, and the captain Hilton Mudariki.
The Junior Sables opened the game with a spark that’s become synonymous with this new generation of talent. Their intent was clear—fast ball movement, aggressive rucking, and width in attack. For the first 10 minutes, they asked serious questions of OH’s defence. But in rugby, momentum can vanish in a knock-on, and that’s exactly what happened. A few costly errors in the middle third of the pitch saw possession handed back to OH, and you simply don’t give a team of this calibre free opportunities.
In the 17th minute, OH struck. A clinical sequence punished the Junior Sables’ lack of structure. Then, just two minutes later, disaster struck again. A lapse in defensive positioning from the Junior Sables’ wing and fullback allowed Mudariki to launch a pinpoint 50/22. From the resulting lineout, OH’s rolling maul looked as if it had been plucked straight out of a coaching manual. Aiden Burnett bagged his second, and the scoreboard quickly became 12-0.
The Juniors responded with a well-executed backline move that showcased the flair and potential bubbling in this side. Slick hands opened space for PK Manyakara, who sliced through the defence and grounded the ball while dragging two defenders over with him. A glimmer of resistance, but OH kept the throttle down.
By halftime, it was 26-5, and the physicality and precision of OH were proving too much for the youthful exuberance of the Junior Sables.
The second half began just as the first ended—with OH crossing the whitewash. The score crept to 31-5, and from there, the floodgates opened. Despite brave moments and spirited defence, the Juniors found themselves on the back foot. Mudariki’s tactical kicking, Burnett’s breakdown dominance, and Makwasha’s line breaks kept the pressure on. Eventually, OH ran away with it, securing a 48-10 victory.
But scorelines don’t always tell the full story.
While the Junior Sables will be hurting from the defeat, there’s no shame in falling to a side stacked with full internationals. In fact, this was perhaps the most valuable learning curve they could ask for ahead of the 2025 Barthes Trophy. For the first time in a year, the Junior Sables looked like a team with a defined structure, one capable of building a serious campaign.
There were standout performances, too. Allan Mawunga, wearing the number 8 jersey, was a constant menace with his direct carries and unshakeable presence in contact. Tino Maradze, out wide, provided moments of electricity every time he touched the ball. And Tino Rusike, at fly-half, showed real promise in managing the game under pressure—though it was a tough day at the office, it was an invaluable experience for the young pivot.
The key takeaway? This wasn’t a defeat to dwell on—it was a glimpse into what Zimbabwean rugby could be. The Junior Sables are no longer just a feeder squad; they’re building something meaningful. The exposure to high-level opposition will pay dividends, especially if the coaching staff can use this as a blueprint for growth rather than a hammering to recover from.
The worry, of course, is psychological. A heavy defeat like this can rattle even the most confident side. But if this group of players can rally, absorb the lessons, and stay committed, Zimbabwe might just be looking at a Barthes Trophy campaign like no other.
The Barthes Trophy remains bright. One game doesn’t define a team—but it can shape one.
