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THE Sables and the Cheetahs have named squads for their upcoming international assignments, with the Sevens side plunging into action this weekend.
The Cheetahs are set to take part in the Safari Sevens international tournament in Kenya, starting today, and coach Daniel Hondo has made two changes to the side that travelled to Namibia last week.
The Sables are preparing for their tour of Hong Kong where they are set to take on Russia, Portugal and the hosts in a competition that has World Rugby ranking status.
Former Sevens captain Jacques Leitao has come in for Biselele Tshamala while Kilvan Magunje replaces Shayne Makombe and Hondo has also shown confidence in the trio of Takudzwa Francesco, Tadious Whata-Dzandiwandira and Takudzwa Kumadiro.
The three earned their first caps for the Cheetahs last week in Namibia where Zimbabwe went all the way to the final but lost to South Africa Academy. The Cheetahs will be under the leadership of new captain Hilton Mudariki who has taken over the armband from veteran forward Leitao — a player regarded as one of the best players to have donned both the Cheetahs and Sables jerseys in recent years.
The Safari Sevens will be the Cheetahs’ last preparatory tournament before they take part in the Africa Cup which will be used as the qualifying tournament for the 2016 Olympic Games.
Coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge has also drafted in some of the Young Sables from the squad for the Junior World Trophy who include eighth-man Aiden Burnett, Shingi Katsvere and Stephen Bhasera.
“Some are still in school but we want the best and we also need to nurture them because it’s all about making sure we build a base for our 2019 World Cup qualifiers so by the end the next year we must have a picture of how our squad will be looking like,” said Mandenge.
“We can’t keep on chopping and changing the team but we need the young players for the future of the Sables. We have to be very grateful for this opportunity because it gives us a chance to improve our ranking.”
Zimbabwe are ranked 27th in the world, Portugal are 29th while the duo of Russia (22nd) and Hong Kong (24th) are both ranked above Zimbabwe.
The last time the Sables were involved in an international assignment was during their Africa Cup game against Namibia in Windhoek and they suffered a humiliating 6-80 loss — their biggest loss to the Welwitschians ever.
Director of rugby Brighton Chivandire conceded that the Sables lacked fitness during the game.
“We need to take lessons from that defeat to Namibia and that is why we need to start preparing early. Starting next Tuesday we will be training twice a week at Old Hararians but when funds permitting I would like the squad to go into camp at the beginning of November,” he said.
Cheetahs Squad
Lucky Sithole, Jacques Leitao, Boyd Rouse, Kilvan Magunje, Stephan Hunduza, Tadius Dzandiwandira, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Takuzwa Francisco, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Graham Kaulback, Kuda Chiwanza, Takudzwa Kumadiro.
Sables extended squad
Denford Mutamangira, Tatenda Murwira, Gerald Sibanda, Tangai Nemadire, Tichafara Makwanya, Stephan Hunduza, Morgan Vangue, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Takudzwa Chieza, Shingi Katsvere, Matoramusha, Aiden Burnett, Tinotenda, Mendelson, Boyd Rouse, Charles Jiji, Brain Makamure, Gavin Nyawata, Kingsley Lang, Lucky Sithole, Sean Chigumbura, Fortune Chipendu, Lenience Tambwera, McLean Muhambi, Tatenda Karuru, Stephen Bhasera, Royal Mwale, Kudzai Zhou, Dante Mama, Hilton Mudariki, Farai Mudariki, Njabulo Ndlovu, Martin Wolfenden, Clemenson Lawrence, Simba Bwanya, Lambert, Biselele Tshamala, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Michale Passaportis, Graeme Lawler, Andrew Rose, Manasa Sita, Riaan O’Neal, Lungile Tshuma, Garth Ziegler, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Alva Senderayi, Justin Zietsman, Witness Mandizha, Zakeyo
Online Reporter