Zimbabwe Rugby Union chief executive officer Blessing Chiutare made the most passionate address heard from a rugby administrator in recent times as the nation bade farewell to the Zimbabwe Under-17 and Under-14 sides bound for South Africa this weekend.

The Old Mutual Junior Sables are travelling for the Grant Khomo Youth Festival which runs in Bloemfontein from July 10 to 14 next week.

A send-off reception was held for the two teams at Gateway High School on Thursday evening and the entire rugby fraternity including sponsors congregated to wish them well in their voyage.

In his first public address to a national team since assuming office in May this year, Chiutare was able to convince those gathered that the union may at last have found the right man with the correct attitude to bring success to the hitherto strugglingl game.

"You guys are just starting out in your careers and you have not played enough rugby yet. As you go to SA and put on that striped (green and white) jersey know you are doing it for your parents, coaches, schoolmates and more importantly for your teammates. 

"You are carrying the hopes of 14 million Zimbabweans. You do not want to be outdone by the girls who have won (all) of their matches at the Under-18 Girls Youth Week in Welcom. Go out there and come back with results . On behalf of ZRU i say victory is all we ask from you,'' implored Chiutare.

The Zimbabwe Under-18 girls team, known as the Junior Pangolins, won their total three fixtures at the tournament in South Africa last week, beating Griquas 39-5, Blue Bulls 5-0 and Boland 20-15.

Men's team manager Chris Mhike said the Under-14 boys team would leave on Friday morning in readiness for a friendly international fixture against Blue Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday, the same day that the Under-18s depart Harare direct for Bloemfontein.

Both teams get their festival fixtures underway on Monday at Grey College in the Free State capital.

Gordon Pangeti coaches the Zimbabwe Under-14 side while Malvern Chirume was appointed his counterpart for the Under-17 side after St George's coach Doug Trivella stepped down, citing pressing commitments back at home.