Bulawayo rugby select gets ready for Zimbabwe A test

THE Bulawayo Metropolitan provincial rugby team has started their preparations for next week’s clash against Zimbabwe A, which is scheduled to take place at the city’s ceremonial home of rugby, Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) named a 37-member training squad, which commenced training on Monday. The team, however, will be trimmed to a final 23-man squad that will do duty against Zimbabwe A next Saturday, on September 14.

The squad was announced following the completion of the 2024 BMRFB Archer Clothing Rugby league a fortnight ago.

Team manager, Melford Matarirano told Zimpapers Sports Hub that it’s all systems go and the players are eager and looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead. He said they are expecting a full-strength squad as soon as some players on the injury list are assessed by the medical teams.

“Our preparations have begun and all has been going well so far. We have had quite an impressive turnout for the training and the squad is geared up, everyone is looking forward to the game. Our training started on Monday and it will continue throughout the week and then we will have the squad go into camp on Thursday.

“We have some guys nursing some injuries but they will soon join the rest of the squad as soon as they are done with their assessment,” said Matarirano.

As part of their training, the provisional squad will take on the development side at Hartsfield this Saturday and it is after that game where the final 23-man squad will be announced. Matarirano said they are looking at picking a strong squad.

He added that the game against Zimbabwe A is the perfect opportunity to showcase the talent Bulawayo possess.

“We have a lot of work lined up and on Saturday, the provisional squad will take on the development team as part of their training. We are looking at having a strong team for the game against Zimbabwe A and we are eagerly looking forward to the game.

“Our squad is good, we had a good selection from the clubs that were competing in the just ended league. The clubs came together to form a provincial team and we are excited to be recognised and we want to showcase what we have as Bulawayo. As a province, we have not only become a team but a family united in working together and improving our game,” said Matarirano.

The provincial team’s technical set up is made up of Nelson Madida (head coach), Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant) and Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant) with Matarirano as the manager.

Provisional Bulawayo provincial team:

BACKLINE: Babongile Ncube, Brian Dube, Tawanda Takawira, Exalted Tomu, Prayer Ngulube, Thabo Ndlovu, Keith Mhlanga, Garfield Macebo, Theo Goredema, Justin Khumalo, Kaitano Tembo, Mzwandile Maoche, Glen Maseko, Tadiwa Ngirazi, Kholwani Moyo, Lawrence Mutakiwa, Dyhandra Mackay.

Injury list: Paul Chade, Ziyanda Khupe, Hardlife Masunda.

FORWARDS: Vuyiswa Mpofu, Beglad Nekati, Biton Longwe, Blessed Ncube, Mandisa Masuku, Irvine Nduwa, Dino Mhlanga, Tanaka Chisuwo, Patrick Macklin, Jason Mackay, Mayibongwe Ncube, Naidel Ncube, Isheunesu Chinganga, Keith Nyathi, Daniel Nyathi, Sean Ncube, Innocent Ncube, Anthony Kalubi, Tanaka Ndiraire, Nqobani Lintini.

Injury list: Tapiwa Muberekwa, Sovereign Mwanyenya.

Technical team: Nelson Madida (head coach), Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant), Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant), Melford Matarirano (manager). — @brandon_malvin