The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
YOUNG Sables coach Shaun de Souza has once again found himself in what is becoming familiar territory.
Much like he did earlier this year following the success of his Zimbabwe Under-20 side at the Barthes Trophy, De Souza is yet again back in the spotlight for positive reasons.
His charges, hailed as the future Sables, return home after a successful trip to Canada for the World Rugby Under-20 Canada Conference tourney.
There, Zimbabwe finished second behind eventual winners Uruguay.
This was after the Young Sables posted two wins and a defeat in the four-team tournament that also included Chile and the hosts and was played at Guelph University in Ontario, Canada.
While they did not return home with the trophy, it was the manner with which the Young Sables performed against their highly ranked opponents that won a lot of admirers at home and abroad.
They were also not short of support on match days, with a host of Canada-based Zimbabweans flocking to root for them.
And De Souza is a very proud man.
“We are proud, we are honoured to have come and represented the country at this event, and we are grateful to World Rugby for giving us this opportunity,” said De Souza.
“Without it (opportunity), we would have never known where we stand on the international stage, and it would have probably gone on to become a case of ‘what if ?’
“We almost went to Uganda to play a friendly there and we received a lot of backlash as people questioned how an Under-20 side can go and play as a senior national team.
“The boys really stepped up at this tournament, and showcased that talent that is there in the country and, more importantly, at this level,” he said.
It was also a case of déjà vu as once again Tavonga Ablant, much like he did during the Barthes Trophy, stole the show.
The Zimbabwe winger was named Player-of-the-Tournament during the Barthes Trophy earlier this year and again led from the front during Zimbabwe’s two victories over Canada and Chile.
He finished with a team-high six tries, three of which came in the 32-24 victory over Canada. Ablant then grabbed a brace of tries when Zimbabwe overcame Chile 43-35.
“Tavonga (Ablant) is a brilliant player.
“I have worked with him for a few years now and I believe that this kid is special.
“It’s unfortunate that when he was promoted to the Goshawks outfit for the Currie Cup First Division campaign, he didn’t really get the chance to express himself and show what he is capable of.
“When he came back, I just told him that this was his chance to really show the talent that I know he possesses.
“He came out, did exactly what we needed him to do and scored some phenomenal tries,” De Souza said.
It was not all plain sailing for the Young Sables.
The trip was marred by a visa issue that saw five players – Tawanda Banda, Nqobile Manyara, Simbarashe Siraha, Liberty Sibanda and Brendan Marume – arrive in Canada late and miss the opener against the hosts.
Another player, Tomuvonga Msasanure, failed to get his visa and missed the tournament.
Msasanure’s unavailability created some tactical issues for De Souza.
He was forced to shift Tanaka Ndoro to the loose-head position, and his inexperience created problems for the front row.
To the team’s credit, the rest of the pack went into overdrive to compensate for Msasanure’s absence and even earned praise from their gaffer.
“The loose trio really stood out for me, and set the platform in our defensive system.
“Tendai Chinyama was a machine, Andrew Rinomhota, Tanaka Gondo Mukandapi, Tamuka Kambani and, of course, Ndoro all deserve praise for how they performed.
“Our loose trio was phenomenal on the defensive end.
“Our play makers did well too, as the likes of Panashe Zuze, Tanaka Ndabambi, Benjamin Pattenden and the captain Takudzwa Musingwini all steadied the ship in the line.
“Their efforts and efficiency are what helped our finishers like Ablant and the other try scorers to play well,” he said.
Gondo Mukandapi seems to be the only casualty to come out of the tournament, as he tore his ACL during the 33-12 loss to Uruguay.
He now faces a couple of months out, as he awaits assessment and possible rehab.
There were also some lessons for the team from the tour.
