Kabras hire ex-Zimbabwe international as new coach

Former Zimbabwe Sables hooker Mzingaye Nyathi who is set to take over from Henley Du Plessis from South Africa as Kabras Sugar Rugby Club head coach. PHOTO | POOL

What you need to know:

  • The 45-year-old loose-head/hooker takes over from South African Henley du Plessis, who resigned one season to the end of his contract
  • Nyathi, who once toured with the Sables in 1998 and 2003 in Nairobi, said in a telephone interview from Harare that he is ready for the big assignment
  • Nyathi acknowledges that he will be taking over at an interesting time where there will definitely be new health guidelines owing to Covid-19


Former Zimbabwe Sables player Mzingaye Nyathi is the new Kabras Sugar Rugby head coach.

The 45-year-old loose-head/hooker takes over from South African Henley du Plessis, who resigned one season to the end of his contract.

Du Plessis indicated that he has decided to leave because of family reasons as Kabras Sugar Rugby chairman Philip Jalang'o also confirmed the development and thanked the South African for the high standards he had set at Kabras Sugar.

Nyathi, who once toured with the Sables in 1998 and 2003 in Nairobi, said in a telephone interview from Harare that he is ready for the big assignment.

“Kenya rugby is attritional and physical in its nature and that is what I expect to see. There are also possibilities in the approaches to that which I will explore with Kabras Sugar,” Nyathi said. “I am told there is a lot of beauty in Kenya as well. I am looking forward to it.”

Nyathi, who was born in Gwanda, South of Zimbabwe, grew up in Bulawayo but spent many years in Harare because of studies, work and rugby. He is married with two children.

Nyathi played for Old Miltonians in Bulawayo when he left school before joining Old Hararians where he played for most of his years.

Nyathi acknowledges that he will be taking over at an interesting time where there will definitely be new health guidelines owing to Covid-19. “Mentally, there will be a need to acclimatise. But, no rush, the players and club have a standard to maintain. It will be good,” said Nyathi.

COMING BACK

Jalang'o said Du Plessis will be coming to the country occasionally when Covid-19 eases since he still has some programmes with Kabras Sugar Rugby Club.

Du Plessis, who led Kabras Sugar to the 2018-2019 Kenya Cup final in Kakamega and to top the regular 2019-2020 before Covid-19 halted the play-offs, said he had enjoyed every moment in the country.

“Every moment was special for me and I would like to thank all the players and the management at Kabras Sugar for giving me the opportunity,” said Du Plessis.

“I am sure I contributed something and whoever will take over will uphold the standards.”

Du Plessis, who took over the club in August 2018 said that he has had good moments of Kenyan rugby but beating Kenyan Cup champions KCB Rugby for the first time 19-3 in November last year was his best moment with the club.