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Botswana relishes tough competition at Africa Rugby Cup Tier 1B

Xinhua, July 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Botswana national rugby team departed the country early Friday morning to Kampala, Uganda for the Africa Rugby Division 1B tournament where a tough challenge awaits.

The team's coach Ivor Greaves told Xinhua before the team's departure that they are charged up for a tough competition when they start the tournament on Sunday.

Botswana's Vultures find themselves in group A alongside Madagascar, Senegal and Uganda. They are scheduled to play the opening match of the tournament against Madagascar at noon on Sunday.

Greaves said they are expecting a very tough match against Madagascar, the top ranked team in the Division.

Madagascar was only relegated from the continent's top Division A in 2014 while Botswana gained promotion to Division B last year. Botswana competed in Division B in 2012 but was relegated.

"This is a very tough division and this time around we are here to compete. We will use the experience we gained when playing the same competition a few years ago," he said.

Greaves said he has a very good squad made up of a blend of experienced campaigners who competed in Division B in 2012 as well as some youngsters who are ready to step up to the challenge.

Captain Eddie Ernest will once again try to lead the team to victory in Uganda. For his part, Ernest said they are going to compete and stay in the division, and hopefully push for the top Division A.

Botswana plays their next group tier against Senegal on Wednesday and round up the tournament against the host Uganda on the July 11. The winners of the tournament are promoted to Division 1B while the team that comes last gets relegated. Enditem