SACS win two more in Zimbabwe

The South African College High School (SACS) completed a clean sweep of three wins on tour in Zimbabwe, with victories over Churchill (67-12) and Prince Edward (38-7).

The games were played at Leabridge Rugby Challenge played at the picturesque Bushman Rock Safari Resort situated about 35kms outside Harare.

The Churchill game saw SACS score ten tries in what was a somewhat patchy and at times scrappy performance. The team scored some lovely tries but a tendency to push passes and play as individuals meant the game lacked structure. Churchill scored arguably the try of the game as they attacked from their own try-line and ran the length of the field to score.

The Prince Edward game on the Saturday afternoon saw SACS again slip back into the tendency to produce a poor second half performance. SACS played brilliantly in the first half, scoring four very good tries and running into 31-nil lead. Gino Lupini finishing off two brilliant passages of phase play with two well-taken tries. The second half saw Prince Edward stage a wonderful comeback as they proceeded to out-work SACS at the breakdown and in so doing frustrate the visitors. Prince Edward managed to draw the second half 7-all; a very credible performance.

Having beaten St John's College (Harare) 62-10 in their first game SACS returned home having scored 24 tries and amassing 167 points for to 29 against. The rugby results are obviously important but the boys were also fortunate to be able to experience the wonderful Zimbabwean scenery and its people: their friendliness, manners and hospitality.

The SACS boys also took part in a coaching clinic in a Harare township where they coached the Mbare Academy team who are based at the impoverished George Stark School and practise on a gravel field with no grass. The Mbare boys really took to the SACS lads and insisted on coming to perform their version of 'haka' for SACS before the game against Prince Edward. It was a special moment which capped a great tour!

Scorers for SACS:

SACS vs Churchill:

Tries: Philip Ackermann 2, Mzi Dempers, Cameron Calder, Gino Lupini, Dean Basson, Fabio Brogneri, Adam de Carvalho, Andrew Edwards, Joel Macquene

Cons: Chris Smith 7

Pen: Smith

SACS vs Prince Edward:

Tries: Tando Rudah, Suwi Chibale, Gino Lupini 2, Sheldon Irwin

Cons: Chris Smith 5

Pen: Smith