By Patience Lephogole
The Botswana National Rugby league started this past weekend with matches held at the Jaguars’ Rugby Field in Block 8, Gaborone.
Jaguars hosted BDF Cheetahs in the first Super Rugby match of the 2019 season.
To the delight of many local rugby fans, the commencement of the league means a fun filled and thrilling battle field.
Jaguars humbled BDF Cheetahs after walloping them in the first match of the season, hence putting the team on top of the log awaiting other team to lock horns.
Speaking in an interview with the Telegraph Sport, the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) development manager Zilwele Khumalo confirmed that indeed teams have started over the weekend. He said: “We are looking forward to an exciting season ahead, with the few teams that started off already one can see that they are indeed in a battle field.”
“The zeal, commitment and determination displayed by the teams was overwhelming, abiding by time it is a reflection that all is well, they are waiting for the games,” Khumalo said.
He further said all he saw in the eyes of the players was team spirit and discipline, which are key concepts in the sporting code. “Already they are making the start off fun and competitive, hence giving spectators a good view and attracting them to go watch the games,” he noted.
Moreover, Khumalo said like any sporting code they too have challenges. He said “Our main challenge is shortage of match officials.”
Asked on how they intend to curb the challenge, Khumalo had this to say “We will recruit and train more match administrators so they meet the standard hence being able to have a pool of talented match officials to choose from.”
Meanwhile, the rugby women’s league has started too, with BDF Cheetahs, Gabs Hogs and Canon Jaguars on top of the log respectively. In the reserve league, Jaguars beat Falcons to be on top of the log. Moreover, in the President league, BDF Cheetahs are on top of the log after walloping Botho Ryders.
