Hogs Claim Bokomo Sevens Title
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday August 20, 2018 13:11
Hogs are the current Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) Super Rugby League defending champions. Hogs 7s coach, Jeremy Babbage told Sport Monitor that they had prepared well for the season and are now being rewarded by winning everything that comes their way.
“We have won all 7s that we played this season. We are trying to set up a 7s academy where players can be groomed from a young age. This team is going to be playing in the international circuit. Hopefully we would have a team that follows behind them,” he said.
Babbage said rugby should not just develop at senior level, but even at school level. He said some of the players who would be included in the academy are from Selebi-Phikwe. He said the town has good players and this year they won the schools rugby during the BISA ball games. He said other players are from Livingstone Kolobeng College (LKC). “The plan is to make them excited about playing rugby. For somebody to play sport, they should be excited about it,” Babbage said.
He said the 7s tournament was important in keeping the players active before the league starts. He said it also gave players an opportunity to interact and share ideas.
Meanwhile BRU secretary general, Ernest Mantsi said the weekend competition was important because the national team is preparing for a tournament in Zambia.
He said it was good practice for The Vultures players.
“As a Union we are excited to see clubs like Hogs taking initiative of organising tournaments. A few weeks ago we were in Phikwe for another tournament that was organised by BDF Cheetahs. It is good to see clubs not waiting for the rugby leadership to come up with ideas,” Mantsi said.
He said local players can go far in 7s if they work hard.
He said they have the speed and the body structure that is needed for 7s. Hogs former players came second after a 38-12 thrashing at the hands of the Hogs main team. Jwaneng came third.