Rhinos lifted the trophy accompanied by a P3, 000 cheque and gold medals after beating Popagano 22-5. Popagano travelled back to Sepopa village P2, 000 richer and the third position went to BDF Cheetahs who were rewarded with P1, 000. Rhinos qualified for the final after beating Cheetahs while Popagano pulled a surprise victory against tournament favourites, Gaborone Hogs in the semi-finals.
Playing bare footed, Popagano girls put up a brave fight against Rhinos players who came into the final with an upper hand. Rhinos were the first to open the score sheet after a good run by Lebogang Kelepile in the first few minutes of the game. Rhinos had a brilliant tournament, beating Savage rugby club 38-0 in the quarter finals while Popagano walloped BIUST 34-10.
In another quarter final, Cheetahs overcame Hogs 7-5. Rhinos had the best defence on the day. Popagano had two attempts to score by they were denied the opportunity by Bame Masebe who was always on alert. However, Popagano managed to pull away to score and convert in the dying minutes of the game. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Rhinos coach, Thapelo ‘Tips’ Khanda said they worked hard on the fitness of the players ahead of the tournament and Popagano was the only team that gave them competition. Adding that they were able to contain them. “Some of the players in my squad have been with us since last year.
We have been working together even after the end of the season, especially that we have set up Rhinos academy. That kept our players fit and we played some matches in South Africa. We had good defence; they did well throughout the tournament. We conceded 15 points that is three tries the entire tournament,” he said.
Popagano coach, Malebogo Matlhare, said reaching the finals of the tournament was an achievement on its own by his girls. Matlhare said they arrived in Gaborone from Sepopa on Friday morning after travelling the entire night. “It was a struggle; we did not have funds because the school could not assist us due to the suspension of school sport in government schools. My team did not have a kit, hence you saw my players playing bare footed. They played the final without eating lunch. They did not lose focus due to the challenges they faced. All they wanted was to play rugby,” he said.
Rhinos 22 Popagano JSS 5
