Marauding Wildebeests charge to success
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 3, 2026 06:00
The side is now preparing to host the league final, where an intense battle against former champions, Gaborone Hogs is expected. The league final is set for August 8. Wildebeests have turned around their fortunes with management setting up a strong side at the beginning of the season.
The team’s coach, Mathews Porogo, revealed to MmegiSport that he started working with the club in 2023 and the following year, they decided to recruit international players, which saw six Zimbabwean players brought on board.
They included four forwards and two as backlines. At the end of the 2024 season, the club was placed in position three. He explained that in 2025, the club did not have a coach, but they now had eight Zimbabwean players.
“In 2025, I took a break to study and made a comeback this year, and I maintained the same team in terms of local players,' he said.
“We had an additional two Zimbabwean players who were present in 2025, being Tadiwa Nyamukondiwa as a loose forward and Prince Kapesi as a backline player. They were coming here for the second season. In terms of local players, they have been with us for the past two seasons, so now they have more experience.'
He added that this season, they decided to beef up the squad by signing unattached Herbet Nkwanjera, a loose forward, due to his experience.
Wildebeests also brought in Owen Owaja, a wing from UB Rhinos, Fortune Banda (openside flanker) and Mandla Julius (fly half) from BDF Cheetahs.
Porogo highlighted that captain Alphious Mokotedi brought in a wealth of experience from his many years of national team rugby, and he has played for Wildebeests for more than 10 years.
'Our players have been playing together for some time; they know each other, and it is easy for them to work together,” the coach stated.
Porogo said they also changed their approach; since they have been playing a physical game of forwards, this season they shifted to have impact forwards and a strong backline of runners.
He added the backline players are effective because they can carry the ball and cover significant distances, while the forwards are also capable of making powerful carries and gaining ground.
According to the coach, his charges can read the game and control it without much influence from the technical bench. He said the substitutions always change the complexion of the game when they are thrown in.
The team also brought in a Zambian player, Charles Kaluwe, a loose forward, because Zambia and Zimbabwe are some of the best rugby nations on the continent behind South Africa, Namibia, Kenya and Uganda.
He said another player, Gofaone Ngande, made a comeback to Wildebeest after a short stint at Rhinos.
Ngande is regarded as one of the best centre players in the country. Wildebeest has also recruited former Rhinos player Kagiso Setabo; although he did not get a lot of game time, his experience was a motivator. The side also has a talented young fullback, Tshiamo Gabonthone, an impactful player and a good goal-post kicker.
The league log leaders have Tlotlo Seitlamo, who can play as scrum-half and has an impact in directing the backline play.
“Since 2004, the club decided to request accommodation from Debswana Jwaneng Mine, and they agreed to accommodate some of our players,” Porogo said.
“Now our players are staying in one place; they are fed, the gym is also available, and that means most of the time we train with a full squad. That way we get to plan properly; game tactics are built from training sessions and even the game approach.”
Porogo said when they were promoted to the BRU Super League in 2019 from the then BRU Development League, their strength was that they had a fast backline.
During that season, Wildebeests recorded only one loss and one draw whilst winning the rest. Porogo said in 2019, he had forwards who could control the game, protecting the ball and creating space for the backline.
He added that the forwards were able to stabilise rucks, the scrums, and good lineout. Porogo added that even the current crop of players has the same qualities, adding that his club has enjoyed success due to the sponsorship from Red Path Mining, which started in 2024.