The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
OLD Georgians and Old Hararians will on Saturday renew hostilities when they clash in the final of the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup final at Harare Sports Club.
The two Harare giants meet in a repeat of the 2019 Super Six Rugby league final.
And while OH managed to scrap through 35-32 victors back then, it is OGs that will carry the weight of expectation as they hope to end the Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup on a high.
The former champions are undefeated in the competition with three wins in three matches in the shortened competition.
They top the log standings with 15 points.
Their opponents Old Hararians have two wins from three matches after last weekend’s narrow 22-23 loss to perennial rivals Harare Sports.
However, all that will count for naught given the bragging rights on offer.
Also, the two sides did not meet during the preliminary rounds of the competition.
For his part, OGs coach Mark ‘Widzo’ Wilson claims that his charges have prepared for this match adequately, and all that is left is for the action to begin.
“In terms of preparations, I think we have prepared adequately over the last couple of days,” said Wilson.
“Things have obviously improved in terms of structure and the way that we play.
“We are ready to take on OH in the final,” he said.
Wilson did, however, admit that the 35-32 loss back in 2019 still stings a bit, and should work as extra motivation for his charges.
“Yes, OH is a main rival of ours, with two teams involved in big match-ups for many years now.
“The previous outing was a game of two halves, with OGs dominating the first and OH managing to take the game away from us during the second.
“It’s a bittersweet rivalry, I think it’s going to be a very physical contest.
“You should expect very attractive running rugby, and we look to get one over them this time around,” he said.
His opposite number, Dereck Chiwara, concurred on the weight of expectations of this final and refused to look at the log table.
“The thing about a final is that it’s a final, and, unfortunately, there can only be one team that walks away with the cup,” said the OH gaffer.
“No one wants to be on the losing end, and we are taking this game very seriously.
“While we did beat them last time around, there has been a two-year gap since that outing.
“The winner of this tie will boil down to who wants it more.
“Team preparations have been good, as we worked on our set play and finishing.
“It is important to be clinical on the day after all,” he said.
Harare Sports Club and the Under-20 High-Performance team are also expected to clash, with their third and fourth-place play-off game acting as curtain-raisers for the final.
Festivities kick-off at 3pm.
