THE 2015 Rugby World Cup enters into the semi-finals this weekend with two out of four Zimbabwe-born players who were playing for different adopted countries still in contention for the coveted prize.
While Zimbabwe might not be at the prestigious global rugby showcase, the Zimbabwean flavour has definitely been there through the four players.
South Africa’s first choice loosehead prop, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira and Australia’s priced flanker/eighthman, David Pocock are the only remaining players following the exit of Scotland last Sunday where there was loose forward, David Donton, while versatile winger, Takudzwa Ngwenya played for the United States of America which exited in the group stages.
Donton is the most junior of the Zimbabwe-born players at the World Cup as he is making his debut at the world showcase.
The 25-year-old was born in Marondera. He represented Scotland at Under-20 level as well as sevens before he earned his full international cap in 2011.
Ngwenya on the other hand is the most senior of the Zimbabwe-born stars at this RWC as he is appearing for the third time.
The 30-year-old wing stole the show at the 2007 event in France where the then little known Ngwenya sprinted past South African wing, Brian Habana to score a spectacular try for USA that became the try of the tournament, taking into account at that time that Habana was considered the fastest rugby player in the world.
Although Ngwenya left his mark at the 2015 RWC with some flashes of brilliance in some matches and one try in the match against Japan, unlike the 2007 RWC he left without making a thunderous exit this time-round.
The semi-finals, however, promise to be historic, kicking off tomorrow (Saturday) at 4pm with the match pitting South Africa’s Springboks and New Zealand’s All Blacks, while on Sunday at 5pm Australia’s Wallabies face the tough and unpredictable Argentinean Pumas.
In tomorrow’s clash Mtawarira will as usual be part of the starting line-up and will definitely be hoping to write his own history and sail through all the way to the finals to clinch the 2015 RWC and put South Africa on the lead as the first nation to win the RWC thrice.
Mtawarira made his RWC debut in New Zealand in 2011 and is one of the players whose performance will have a bearing on the Springboks progression in the tournament.
However, it will definitely not be a stroll in the park to defeat the defending champions who mercilessly devoured France 62-13 last Saturday sending a loud message to the Springboks.
On the other hand, Argentina dismissed an injury stricken Ireland 43-20 last Sunday after coming in as second favourites in the match which most thought was going to be won by the Irish.
That alone proves how lethal the Pumas can be when least expected and given the Wallabies 35-34 fluky last minute victory over Wales last Sunday, the Pumas, are tipped as a major threat in the match expected to keep rugby enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.
Pocock will be eager to play after missing the Scotland match due to a calf injury. Just like Mtawarira, Pocock is making his second appearance at the World Cup having played for Australia in the 2011 tournament.
Born in Gweru, Pocock (27) made his Wallabies debut in 2008 and is renowned for his ball stealing skills at the breakdown.
He was very instrumental for Australia in wielding tries throughout the group stage matches and is one of the key players for the Wallabies expected to lead the team to victory, though his calf injury almost made him miss out on the final lap this weekend.
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