Bulawayo rugby squad announced

FOLLOWING the completion of the 2024 Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) Archer Clothing Rugby League last Saturday, the board has picked a strong provisional provincial team that is expected to do duty next month.

The provincial team is scheduled to face Zimbabwe A in an eagerly anticipated clash pencilled in for September 14 at the city’s ceremonial home of rugby, Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.

A 37-member provisional team has been named. It is set to be trimmed down to the final 23 that will do duty against Zimbabwe A.

There are five players on the injury list who will be assessed as time goes. From the picked players, two teams will be selected; Matabeleland vs Development in a match pencilled in for September 7 for further selection. It is after that game that the squad will be cut down to a 23-member final team.

The technical team is led by Nelson Madida who said they will be hard at work with the selected players and are not only targeting the Zimbabwe A game, but to introduce and or, promote professional standards with the resources that they have at their disposal.

Madida said they are looking at rebuilding rugby in the province by aligning with the identity of the senior men’s national team head coach, Pieter Benade. He said this presents a golden opportunity for local players to open doors for themselves.

“We are rebuilding the province by promoting a rugby identity that aligns with the demands of the national team coach, coach Pieter, with whom we have been communicating. This will give our local players an opportunity to be looked at and hopefully, selected for national programmes,” said Madida.

He added that apart from the chosen players, the forthcoming match against Zimbabwe A will help inspire youngsters into taking rugby and believes the local players will benefit from the exposure of playing against the country’s best. Madida said they are working hard to make sure that Bulawayo rugby is restored to its former glory.

“This programme is already successful because it will give exposure to our upcoming players. Playing against the nation’s best and also inspiring the next upcoming generation of rugby players. It’s important for us, the newly appointed coaches, to set up a professional and progressive programme to bring Bulawayo rugby back to its glory days. It’s not easy work,” said Madida.

Other members of the technical team are Victor Chiwara (assistant coach), Francis Nakamu (forwards assistant) and Ntando Ndlovu (backs assistant).

Bulawayo provisional 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). – @brandon_malvin