14 Mar 2024

Rugby’s two heavyweights, Gaborone Hogs and UB Rhinos will go toe to toe during a preseason knockout  tournament final on Saturday.

The stage has been set for a colossal battle between two of rugby’s greatest rivals and Wharic Park is set to transform into a battlefield as two old forces fight beyond their historic best with the hope of claiming rugby supremacy with bragging rights also at stake. 

Both Hogs and Rhinos have a longstanding rivalry, seen as the most intense in rugby and has often produced classic clashes of physical power up against panache and flair.

Hence the finals are poised to be a battle of scintillating attack against ruthless defence with each side capable of both.

The UB Rhinos are synonymous with playing entertaining and free-flowing rugby, while the Hogs only care about one thing, which is winning.

UB Rhinos are well aware of their underdog status going into the final and are bracing themselves for an epic game against the Hogs who will be hoping to continue their supremacy.

As defending champions, Hogs are banking on their forwards delivering success again, gambling that their squad depth will come off the bench to see them home.

By their lofty standards, Hogs have offered dominate performances leading to he finals with a 39-15 win against BIUST in the quarterfinals followed by another hard fought victory against the BDF Cheetahs in the semi-finals.

 With the semi-final victories now a thing of the past, Hogs will start the Saturday game as hot favourites following an unbeaten streak and the patronage of the home fans fully behind them.

Nonetheless, Rhinos would be looking forward to cause a major upset and redeem themselves following their last years’ 24-12 defeat in the semi-finals to the same opponents.

Rhinos are cognisant of the prospect to face a star-studded Hogs team boosting international players in the likes of Kitso Matija, Brandon Vanzyl, Roberto Phobe and Koketso Galetshetse, among others.

Meanwhile, the Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) development manager, Zee Khumalo indicated that the union was committed to delivering a seamless final in preparation of the coming season.

“This is still pre-season where teams are still trying out combinations, but as the organsers, all is in place heading to the knockout finals and we are hoping to deliver a great spectacle to all rugby fans,” Khumalo said.

Khumalo indicated that he was hopeful for the league to start in a fortnight.  ENDS