BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – A lot of rugby players will quite understandably have a sense of satisfaction from finishing their careers with three continental titles, one at senior level and two with the youth side.
Edward Sigauke has already achieved such a feat but wait! He’s only 20, and just starting.
The flying Zimbabwe winger scored a hat-trick in the Sables’ thumping 66-22 win over the United Arab Emirates in Dubai on Tuesday.
Sigauke has quickly developed into an important member of the Sables side since making his Test debut at the Africa Cup in Uganda in July. But he is sharing the credit with his teammates for his accomplishments, from his maiden appearance four months ago to the impressive win over UAE on Tuesday.
“Tuesday’s game was one of those games where everything falls into place for a winger,” Sigauke told SportsCast from Dubai on Thursday.
“I enjoyed the game because everyone on the field did their job, really, and they made me look good. They always make me look good. It was hard-work upfront from the big boys and class delivery from the playmakers and centres. It’s really big to score my first hat-trick for the Sables. Hopefully I can keep delivering for my country.”
The diminutive wing was also in sizzling form when Zimbabwe lifted the Africa Cup in Kampala, playing in all three matches.
“The Africa Cup in Uganda was truly unforgettable,” commented Sigauke. “The atmosphere, competition, and my form all came together perfectly at my first senior tournament. Getting the opportunity to compete at that level and performing fairly well was incredibly rewarding.”
In 2022 and 2023, Sigauke was one of the linchpins of Zimbabwe Under-20s’ back-to-back Youth Africa Cup titles.
Those days, Sigauke moved around the backline, sometimes playing at fullback or centre. Now it definitely looks like he has settled in nicely on the wing.
“I’ve played in various positions, but the wing feels like the right fit at Test level,” said Sigauke.
“Being out wide gives me space to make impactful plays, given my smaller stature, and I enjoy the balance between defence and attack. While I appreciate playing fullback and centre, the wing has become my preference position and the great players around me at the Sables make it that much more enjoyable.”
Born in Harare, Sigauke was raised in Chiredzi and attended Hippo Valley Estates Primary School in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld region.
For senior school, he was initially sent to Hillcrest College in Mutare for form one to four. But the rugby bug caught after Sigauke transferred to Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi for his A-Levels.
“Lomagundi played a big part in my rugby journey,” he said. “It was where I started taking rugby a little more seriously, maybe a little too serious.”
In his rise to stardom, Sigauke is also leaning heavily on his faith.
“Being an African champion multiple times at youth and senior levels is an incredible blessing,” Sigauke said.
“I truly believe My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, has been the main reason for these successes. Without His guidance and strength, none of this would have been possible.”
