By Mbongeni Vilakati
MBABANE – The Mbabane Cheetahs have emerged as the champions of the Eswatini Rugby Union (ERU) 7s rugby championship on Saturday (June 8, 2024) at the Malkerns Country Club.
After a triumphant win over Mbabane Jaguars in a tense and thrilling encounter, the Cheetahs clinched the coveted title. Their first match against fellow title contenders Malkerns Centre was particularly gripping, marked by high emotions and flaring tempers, ultimately concluding in a Cheetahs’ victory.
The Cheetahs had to navigate through formidable opponents, including Malkerns Centre and Mbabane Jaguars on their final match of the day, which was the epitome of rugby excellence. Cheetahs capitalised on a crucial defensive mistake by the Jaguars, securing the only try of the match and sealing their championship win.
The triumphant Mbabane Cheetahs were awarded a trophy, gold medals, and a prize of E1 500. Malkerns Centre, the runners-up, received silver medals and E1 000, while the Buffaloes Rugby Club secured third place, earning bronze medals and E500. The Mbabane Jaguars and Shiselweni 7’s finished in fourth and fifth places, respectively.
ERU Communications Manager Phumlani Gumedze was full of praises to the organiser and sponsors of the tournament.
“We thank all those who helped us in making these games a possibility and more especially to the organisers. They did a very good job in getting everything together,” he said.
Mbabane Cheetahs – Champions
Malkerns Center – Runners up
Dvokolwako Buffaloes – 3rd place
Mbabane Jaguars – 4th place
Shiselweni 7s – 5th place
Results
Malkerns Centre 20 – 0 Mbabane Jaguars (Malkerns Centre rolled, Jaguars were late)
Mbabane Cheetahs 21 – 12 Buffaloes
Shiselweni 7s 0 – 43 Malkerns Centre
Mbabane Jaguars 27 – 0 Buffaloes
Mbabane Cheetahs 40 – 0 Shiselweni 7s
Malkerns Center 17 – 5 Buffaloes
Mbabane Jaguars 32 – 0 Shiselweni 7s
Mbabane Cheetahs 17 – 0 Malkerns Center
Buffaloes 19 – 0 Shiselweni 7s
Mbabane Cheetahs 5 – 0 Mbabane Jaguars
