Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Cheetahs camp remains hopeful that they can still call on the services of Edward Sigauke and Tapiwa Mafura as preparations for the Africa Cup Sevens rugby tournament in Kampala, Uganda, gather momentum.
Sigauke recently signed for English side Harlequins, but the speedy winger has expressed his desire to travel to Uganda for the annual tournament, provided his club grant him the nod.
Similarly for Mafura, the Zimbabwe camp are waiting to hear from his club.
“Of course, given the choice, we would love to have both Tapiwa Mafura and Eddy (Sigauke) with us in Uganda,” said Cheetahs coach Fortunate Chipendu.
“Edward has already expressed his willingness to come through and play, but he has just signed a new contract, and we are waiting to hear from his club on his availability.
“Besides being hugely talented individuals, the two bring a lot of experience, and having them with us would be a huge boost.
“However, should they fail to get clearance from their clubs, I am confident we have enough in our arsenal to go to Uganda and get the win,” he said.
Rugby Africa have announced a change in format for the 2026 Africa Men’s Sevens Series, which will now be delivered through two complementary competitions following the postponement of the continental event originally scheduled for Mauritius in June.
Approved by the Rugby Africa executive committee, the revised structure will feature the SVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifiers in Uganda and the Mauritius Sevens Tournament 2026 in Mauritius.
The new format aims to strengthen the competitiveness of men’s Sevens rugby in Africa, provide more opportunities for national teams to compete at a high level, and reinforce the pathway connecting African rugby to the inter-national sevens structure.
The SVNS 3 2026/2027 Africa Qualifiers will open with the Africa Cup, slated for September 26 and 27 in Kampala, Uganda.
Eight nations are set to slug it out for a ticket to the World Rugby SVNS 3 group next year. They are Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia, Tunisia, Senegal, and hosts Uganda.
The teams have been divided into two pools. Pool A comprises Zimbabwe, Morocco, Ghana, and Nigeria, while Uganda, Zambia, Tunisia, and Senegal make up Pool B.
Rugby Africa also released the schedule, with Zimbabwe opening their campaign against Morocco before wrapping up day one with matches against Ghana and Nigeria.
Day two will comprise the knock-out stages.
The Cheetahs are approaching the tail end of their preparations, with Chipendu happy with the progress.
“We have been in camp for a little over two months now, training twice a week at Old Georgians Sports Club,” said Chipendu.
“We have a good squad of about 27 players and the boys have been putting in the work.
“Preparations have been good, and we have already started high-intensity training, which is good.
“For now, the training squad is mostly made up of Harare-based players, but we expect more to come in, especially when we assemble for a two-week camp just before departure.
“The guys from South Africa, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Gweru should have joined us by then,” he said.
There is a lot of pressure to perform on Chipendu and his boys, especially as hosts Uganda and Zimbabwe go into the tournament as the top-ranked sides.
However, Chipendu has refused to focus on rankings, opting instead to prepare his charges to the best of his ability.
“I have been involved in sevens rugby for over 15 years, playing at the highest level, and it is never wise to underestimate any team or nation,” he said.
“Any team can beat any team, so it is always best to prepare to the best of your abilities and never underestimate your opponent.
“In terms of pressure, that comes with the territory.
“Each time you put on national colours to represent your country, there is always pressure to perform.
“So, going into this tournament, we will concentrate on what we can control and prepare to the best of our abilities,” said the Cheetahs gaffer.
