SA Academy off to a flyer

The pre-tournament favourites, the South African Academy, finished unbeaten after Day One of the inaugural Zimbabwe international Sevens tournament.

They were joined in the unbeaten box by the hosts, the Zimbabwean Cheetahs- who also topped their group.

The SA Academy faced Zimbabwe’s second string side, the Goshawks, in their opening match – beating the novices 24-5. The Goshawks scored early in the first half, but capitulated in the face of the Academy’s aggressive defence. The MJ Mentz-led SA side later met the Northern Region and won by a mammoth 42-7, the highest score by any team on the opening day. Zambia was the next victims, losing 0-17.
 
The home side, the Cheetahs, started their journey with a convincing 37-7 victory against Zambezi, thanks to quick support play. Botswana were also powerless against the Cheetahs, losing 19-33, this time wing Wesley Mbanje exploiting the numerous overlaps. However, the Cheetahs were found wanting in the closing match of the day, playing to a draw against a more poised Northern Region team. The Cheetahs, despite remaining unbeaten, were sloppy on defence.

The Cheetahs meet the SA Academy in the opening match Sunday in a crucial decider that may as well determine the ultimate winner of the tournament.

The Northern region have the easiest of tasks against Zambezi Warriors, while Goshawks have a lot to prove against the Buffaloes.

Day One results:
Botswana 7 v SA Buffaloes 40
Zambia 0 v Northern Region 26
SA Academy 24 v Goshawks 5
Cheetahs 37 v Zambezi Warriors 7
Northern Select 41 v SA Buffaloes 0
Zambia 0 v Goshawks 40
Cheetahs 33 v Botswana 19
SA Academy 42 v Northern Region 7
Botswana 19 v SA Buffaloes 22
SA Academy 17 v Zambia 0
Northern Region 22 v Goshawks 28
Cheetahs 12 v Northern Select 12
 
By  Jeffrey Danai Murimbechi in Harare