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Kusile Madlela Sports reporter
SOUTH AFRICAN rugby franchise, the Blue Bulls are sending their Under-21 side to Zimbabwe for two matches against the national Under-21 team next month. The Blue Bulls Under-21s will first play Zimbabwe Under-21 at Hartsfield on July 4 with their next game set for Harare on the following weekend.Western Panthers coach, George Mukorera said the matches are part of a mini-tour organised and sponsored by the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa).

“More details of their visit will be unveiled towards the dates. The union (Zimbabwe Rugby Union) is yet to make final arrangements,” said Mukorera.

He said ZRU would soon be selecting an Under-21 squad to face the Bulls’ junior team, which will certainly not be a pushover, so fans can expect tough but good rugby.

“The matches will be tough because the Bulls are a really good team coming from a country where they embrace rugby as much as we embrace football. The boys will have to grow some crocodile skin for that one but I’m confident they’ll do their best in flying the flag high. Home advantage will have an effect on their performance and I hope people will come in their numbers to support the boys in the two games,” he said.

Mukorera said the Harare game would be played a day after the senior national team, the Sables’ match against Tunisia providing good entertainment for rugby enthusiasts.

“That will be a big weekend for rugby and fans must brace for good entertainment. It’s good that Harare and Bulawayo have both been slated to host the Bulls, especially after the Zimbo Tournament was cancelled due to financial constraints.”

The Zimbo Tournament was set to feature Old Miltonians, Busters, Bulldogs and Western Panthers at Hartsfield on Saturday and its cancellation on the 11th hour left Bulawayo rugby lovers disappointed.