By Sports Reporter
The Zimbabwe Rugby Academy side put on a much better performance, but will have to wait longer before registering their first win in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge after going down 36-14 to a strong Sharks XV side at False Bay Rugby Club in Cape Town, South Africa, yesterday.
After a disappointing second half performance led to a 41-16 defeat to Border Bulldogs in East London last week, the Young Bucks, as the Zimbabwe development side is affectionately known, were desperate to put on a much better display.
Although they were vastly improved against a Sharks XV side which also featured former Springbok Lwazi Mvovo, they still came up short.
Sharks XV flew out of the starting blocks and ran in three unanswered tries in the opening half through Lunga Ncube, Kwanda Dimaza and Connor Botha, with flyhalf Rhyno Smith managing two conversions.
The Young Bucks put on a better show in the second half through two converted tries by loose forward Biselele Tshamala, while Sharks XV responded with a second half brace of tries from Ralph Koster and another try from Adam Mountfort.
Zimbabwe Rugby Academy team manager Jason Maritz felt the final result was not a reflection of the match as the Brendan Dawson-coached side played well.
“We lost 36-14, but that’s the best game of rugby I have watched in a while. The boys did a sterling job and it was such a good game. The Sharks didn’t expect us to show up today and they are the ones who finished the game by kicking the ball out after the hooter. We should be proud and I believe there are only good things to come,” Maritza said after the game.
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Zimbabwe Academy play their next match against SWD Eagles at Outeniqua Park in George, South Africa, next Sunday.
SuperSport Rugby Challenge results at a glance
Yesterday: Border Bulldogs 24-48 Western Province, Griffons 26-35 Griquas, Zimbabwe Rugby Academy 14-36 Sharks XV, Valke 19-26 Pumas, Boland Cavaliers 21- 10 Free State XV, Blue Bulls 87-21 Namibia.
