The highly anticipated Mukuru Derby Day Rugby Festival kicks off on Monday, April 28, setting the stage for an action-packed week of schoolboy rugby.
While the opening day features exciting fixtures among Zimbabwe’s rising teams, the real spectacle unfolds on Thursday, May 1, and Saturday, May 3, when traditional powerhouses and international teams go head-to-head.
Monday’s Opening Action
The festival begins with a clash between Milton High School and Wise Owl, setting the tone for a week of intense rugby battles. Other key fixtures include Goldridge facing Gateway and Watershed taking on MCC.
Though Monday’s matchups provide a solid start, the real excitement builds towards the high-profile encounters on Thursday and Saturday, when some of Zimbabwe’s finest teams take on formidable South African opponents.
Thursday’s Blockbuster Fixtures
The festival continues on Thursday, May 1, with a mouthwatering clash as Prince Edward’s Tigers lock horns with their traditional rivals, St. George’s College. This matchup, steeped in history, is expected to set the tone for the rest of the day.
Adding to the day’s intensity, Lomagundi College will take on the ever-spirited Churchill Bulldogs, a fixture that promises physicality and flair in equal measure.
Meanwhile, Peterhouse will test themselves against South African visitors, St. Andrew’s College from Grahamstown, a school with a proud rugby tradition and ranked 43rd in South Africa in 2024.
Their last visit to Zimbabwe was back in 2012, when they competed at the Leabridge Rugby Festival at Bushman Rock.
Another exciting touring side, St. Alban’s from Pretoria, ranked 46th in South Africa in 2024, will battle hosts St. John’s College Rams in what is expected to be a fiercely contested encounter.
St. Alban’s has a history of producing top rugby talent, including Springbok hooker Bongani Mbonambi.
To cap off a thrilling opening day, Sharks U20 will take on Zimbabwe’s own Zambezi Steelers U20.
This fixture is particularly exciting given Sharks’ strong ties to Zimbabwean rugby, with Sables loose forward Tinotenda Blithe Mavesera currently playing for the Durban-based outfit, and Springbok legend Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira having also represented the franchise.
Saturday’s Showdowns and the Grand Finale
The festival continues on Saturday, May 3, with another exhilarating lineup of fixtures. The highlight of the day will be the closing match featuring St. John’s College against St.
Andrew’s College, a showdown set to bring the curtain down on the tournament in spectacular fashion.
This year’s festival welcomes newcomers Milton High School from Bulawayo, who will take on Lomagundi’s second team on Friday before facing emerging Marondera giants Wise Owl in what is expected to be a fiery contest on Monday.
Another fresh addition to the festival is the Rebels, a team eager to make an impression in their debut appearance.
Festival Growing in Stature
The Mukuru Derby Day Rugby Festival continues to cement itself as one of the premier schoolboy rugby events in Zimbabwe, bringing together top local teams and international competition.
With the addition of new teams and high-profile touring sides, this year’s edition is set to be bigger and better than ever.
Share Your Comments