Silverbacks land Zambia Castle 7s invite

RWANDA RUGBY national team, Silverbacks has been invited to compete in the annual Zambia Castle 7s international tournament scheduled for September 7-8 in Lusaka.

Saturday, August 03, 2013

RWANDA RUGBY national team, Silverbacks has been invited to compete in the annual Zambia Castle 7s international tournament scheduled for September 7-8 in Lusaka.The Rwanda Rugby Federation Technical Director Jean Baptista Itanzi told Saturday Sport that the invite came in last month and they are working around the clock to secure sponsorship such that the team can compete in the tournament."We received the invitation and we have written to the Ministry of Sports and Culture requesting for financial support. We have already confirmed our participation and we believe this will be another milestone in as far as exposing our national team to international experience is concerned,” said Itanzi.The Silverbacks will take part in the competition in high spirits after earning qualification to Division 5 following their CAR Super 16 tournament title. Rwanda hammered Burundi 20-0 and 22-0 in a two legged qualifier played last month.Under the tutelage of Fijian international coach Simeli Mocevakaca, Silverbacks joined Division 5 which has Mauritius, Reunion, Botswana, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and Zambia.Meanwhile, Cup holders Cheetahs of Zimbabwe are among a horde of local and foreign teams that will battle in the revived Castle 7s International rugby tournament in Lusaka next month.Matebeleland and Goshawks, of Zimbabwe, have also confirmed that they will vie for the crown.South Africa will be represented by former champions Mpumalanga, Blue Bulls, Sharks, Golden Lion, Griquas and Elite Performance Academy.Bristol University and Samurai of the United Kingdom will also be in the hustle for the championship.Zambia’s Lechwe A and Lechwe B have also confirmed participation. Other teams are expected from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Hong Kong, Georgia (USA) and Tanzania.