The Gabs 7’s International Rugby Tournament reached its conclusion over the weekend with Gaborone Hogs securing a narrow 7-5 victory over the SA All Stars in the men’s division. In the women’s division, UB Rhinos finished third, while South Africa’s Tuks Rugby Club claimed the top spot.
Lynn Warburton, manager of the Gaborone Hogs, attributed their win to their defensive resilience, stating,
“It all came down to the pressure we put on SA All Stars, allowing us to come out victorious. Our team
came together when it mattered most, forcing key errors, which led to our 2-point win.”
The tournament featured teams from Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe across both men’s and women’s categories. Teams included Gaborone Rugby Football Club, UB Rhinos, BIUST Buffaloes, Ryders Rugby Club, Jwaneng Wildebeest, Phoenix 7s Academy, Tuks Women’s Rugby 7s, SA All Stars 7s Rugby, BDF Cheetahs, Spartans Academy, and Jaguars Rugby Club.
In the men’s final, the Hogs clinched the win with a decisive 2-point conversion, following a try by Owen Uaja and a successful kick by Godknows Mavara. The tense match culminated with the Hogs emerging victorious over their fierce rivals, the SA All Stars.
On the women’s side, Tuks Rugby Club from South Africa triumphed over Wise Leadership Phoenix with a score of 12-7, taking a dominant stance in a fiercely contested final. UB Rhinos’ women’s team secured third place in the tournament.
Reflecting on their victory, Hogs’ manager Warburton remarked, “The key to our success was hard work, determination, and the team’s chemistry. Some players had to push through injuries to make it to the end, and I’m proud of their resilience and commitment, both on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, UB Rhinos President Hakim Mabulama expressed pride in his teams’ efforts. “I’m proud of both our men’s and women’s performances. Although we suffered a technical loss on the men’s side, we’ve gained valuable lessons that will help us improve. On the women’s side, there has been clear growth, which showcases the talent we can produce.”
The Gaborone Sevens, Botswana’s premier rugby sevens tournament, has grown significantly over the years, drawing in teams from neighboring countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe. The tournament promotes local talent and strengthens the region’s rugby community, serving as a critical platform for competition and development.
As the tournament gains further traction, it plays a vital role in preparing Botswana’s national sevens team for international events like the Africa Cup Sevens and Olympic qualifiers.
Warburton concluded with a positive outlook for the future, saying, “Our club continues to grow, and we’re looking forward to launching a grassroots program to nurture the future stars of the sport.”
