Africa-Press – Botswana. In a jaw-dropping display of intense rugby display, Botswana national rugby team, The Vultures suffered 7-18 defeat to Sibanye Stillwaters rugby club in a friendly game played at Wharic park on Saturday.
With the clash been used as part of the national team’s build up to the much anticipated match against Zimbabwe Sables on May 10 in Bulawayo, Coach Andrew Paxinos squad selection was dominated by a lot of debutants with Brandon Van Zyl leading the line as the captain in the absence of Tafadzwa Ncube.
From the opening whistle, the Vultures were up to a nervy start with a lot of errors and poor decision making. Despite the erratic start, Vultures captain Van Zyl stood tall and calm and steered the team to a spirited fight against a formidable Sibanye Stillwaters team that plays in the South African Castle Super League.
With the local rugby league yet to start, the weekend friendly proved to be a tough test for the Vultures readiness and resilience with their fitness levels exposed during every scrum hence coming second best to their opponents in every physical encounter.
The Rustenburg based Sibanye Stillwaters bossed the breakdown and sheltered their try lines with intense command, and perfection keeping the Vultures at bay.
As the intensity of the game increased in the second half it was Stillwaters who relished the physicality of the game most, scoring two valuable tries and penalty convention to put the game beyond Vultures reach.
It was nonetheless the brilliance of Nicolas de Beer and skilful handing of Letlhogile Tsheko that kept the Vultures in the game for a respectable 7-18 score line at the final whistle.
As the Vultures now lock their focus on their incoming encounter against Zimbabwe Sables, Coach Paxinos has a mammoth task to keep the team motivated and put the past weekend defeat behind.
“We have to quickly dust ourselves off, take the lessons learnt from our friendly with Stillwaters since it is not about perfection but it is all about passion, purpose and playing for dominance going forward,” said Paxinos in a post-match interview.
While admitting that the length break in local rugby league has a negative impact on the national team selection, Paxinos is adamant that the Vultures have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
“The future of the Vultures is promising, we fielded a very youthful team and they showed positive signs of determination, therefore it is safe to say the Vultures will sow high in the next games,” he said.
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