Cheetahs turn to their Sables stars

Tinashe Kusema

Zimpapers Sports Hub

RICKY CHIRENGENDE has revealed that his decision to rope in six Sables players for this weekend’s Rugby Africa Sevens Cup was fully endorsed by their coach, Piet Benade.

Chirengende said it had always been a long-term plan agreed to by the two coaches.

The Zimbabwe sevens coach last week named his 12-member travelling party for the trip to Mauritius for the continental competition on June 21-22. There had been questions on the move to rope in the Sables stars when the senior XVs side have their own Africa Cup coming up in Uganda next month.

Both teams regrouped for camp at the weekend as they head into the final phase of their preparations for their respective Africa Cup competitions. The Sables have an all-important date in Uganda for their continental tournament, which will this year double as qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Should they retain the Africa Sevens Cup, the Sables would have automatically punched their ticket to the World Cup, while a runners-up finish will get them a second bite of the qualification bid, albeit via the arduous inter-continental runners-up tournament known as Repechage.

With the Cheetahs’ assignment coming earlier, Benade will have to contend with five of his top players joining the group next week as they are expected to travel to Mauritius for the sevens tournament.

The quintet includes fullback Tapiwa Mafura, Dion Khumalo, Brendan Mudzekenyedzi, Tinotenda Blithe Mavesere and wingers Edward Sigauke and Trevor Gurwe.

“It is something that Piet (Benade) and I had planned from the start,” said Chirengende.

“I think it will be valuable game time for the guys, just to get their lungs and legs going before the Africa Cup.

“If you think about it, most of the supposed Sables players that we called in have been part of the Sevens set-up for some time now.

“Dion (Khumalo), Gurwe and Eddie (Sigauke) were regulars last year, while Mafura and Brendan were part of the team during the Olympic qualifiers.

“The only new one really is Blithe but we all know that he is a quality player and what he brings to the table.

“I don’t really think that their selection is a big deal. A lot of people have expressed shock, but these guys have been Sevens players all the time,” he said.

Chirengende expressed satisfaction with his selection and the condition of his players despite concerns of lack of game time as a team.

This weekend’s Rugby Africa Sevens Cup will be their first assignment of the year.

“I’m pretty satisfied.

“I think it’s a good group of players. Some of them don’t have a lot of Sevens experience, but they are just quality players generally.

“A lot of these guys — in fact, all of them — have been playing regular rugby. So, it’s just about adjusting quickly to the shorter format of the game.

“In terms of match fitness or just the body readiness, I think that will be there.

“I’m just hoping the systems that we have put into place will obviously help us to get our best players performing their best roles on the field.

“There will definitely always be worries of a bit of rustiness and you always need some games under your belt, especially going into such a tournament.

“However, we have been training over the last two weeks and the lads look ready,” he said.

The Cheetahs are expected to leave for Mauritius this afternoon from where they will continue with their preparations while they are also set to have a feel of the match venue on Friday. Zimbabwe are in Pool C alongside tournament hosts Mauritius, Tunisia, and Madagascar.

Despite the pool not featuring continental Sevens heavyweights like South Africa, Kenya, or Uganda, it presents a deceptively tough pathway with every team capable of producing major upsets.

Zimbabwe will open their campaign with a game against Tunisia after which they will wrap up their group matches with ties against Mauritius and Madagascar.

All matches will be played on June 21, with knock-outs scheduled for the following day.

Cheetahs Squad:

Vuyani Dhlomo

Munashe Dukuswa

Brandon Mudzekenyedzi

Edward Sigauke

Godfrey Magaramombe

Ryan Musumhi

Tapiwa Malenga

Dion Khumalo

Tapiwa Mafura

Tinotenda Blithe Mavesere