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Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
CHEETAHS captain Jacques Leitao says the Cheetahs are feeling the heat ahead of the Zimbabwe Sevens international tournament that kicks-off at Harare Sports Club this afternoon. Last year Zimbabwe finished as the third best team in the tournament but coach Liam Middelton believes they have the capacity to do better especially given that this is their only major preparatory event before the Hong Kong leg of the World Series. Leitao, who is also the Old Georgians captain, was not part of the Cheetahs side that travelled to Port Elizabeth at the end of last year but makes a return together with two other players.
They are gasman Stephan Hunduza and debutant Benjamin Nichols, who is based in the United States, with the trio replacing Tapiwa Tsomondo, Hilton Mudariki and Brandon Boshi.
However, it’s not often that the Cheetahs play in front of their home crowd and this, Leitao believes, puts a lot of pressure on the rugby side.
“Playing at home always puts more pressure on us as players but we have to rise up to the competition as we are looking forward to playing in front of our home crowd and I am happy with our preparations,” said Leitao.
The Cheetahs were not in full camp but continued with their strength and conditioning programme at Innovate High Performance centre.
This tournament would be the third time, in as many years, that the Cheetahs will be playing on home soil — thanks to the local event that also gives exposure to the Zimbabwe developmental side the Goshawks. The Cheetahs are aiming to win this tournament but they know that it’s not going to be easy, especially with the likes of defending champions South Africa standing in their way.
South Africa Academy coach Marius Schoeman has named seven players who have played for the Blitzbokke side before in his side including Paul Delport who will be making a return since suffering a knee injury almost a year ago.
Kwagga Smith, WJ Strydom, Mark Richards, Steven Hunt, Jamba Ulengo Tshotsho Mbovane complete the list of capped Blitzbokke.
However, this does not scare Middleton who believes Zimbabwe need to concentrate on their game, focus on their aims and objectives and everything else will fall into place.
“Our Sevens side is at its strongest and I believe it’s the same for Russia, Georgia, Hong Kong and South Africa because everyone is here to prepare for the Hong Kong tournament which we all take seriously.
“South Africa have picked a top side which is mixed but we have to go in and play and there are chances that any of the Zimbabwe players in either teams could make it for the side that will travel to Hong Kong.
“It does not mean that those who have been picked into the Cheetahs side are the ones who will travel to Hong Kong because we have picked a squad of 24, we are working with them and any of them could make it.
“But I am also happy that this tournament also provides exposure for the Goshawks. It would be unfair to compare last year’s tournament with this year’s because they have different dynamics.
“Looking at the Hong Kong tournament last year it was a pre-qualifier tournament, the main qualifiers were held in England and this year the same tournament serves as the qualifier,” said Middleton.
Zimbabwe Squads
Squads
Cheetahs: Biselele Tshamala, Jacques Leitao (captain), Njabulo Ndlovu, Stephen Hunduza, Lenience Tambwera, Tangai Nemadire, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Fortunate Chipendu, Boyd Rouse, Kilvan Magunje, Benjamin Nichols, Gardner Nechironga.
Goshawks: Lucky Sithole, Farai Jijita, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Tadius Whata, Hilton Mudairiki (captain), Kuda Makwasha, Brandon Boshi, Japhet Ndebele, Riaan O’Neill, Craig Elcombe, Lloyd Muchanjaira, Brian Dube.
Online Reporter