Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sables squad to face South Africa A could be announced either at the end of the week or early next week.
The country’s senior national rugby team is in South Africa for the last leg of their Stellenbosch camp.
Coach Piet Benade is expected to finalise his selection ahead of the historic match against South Africa’s emerging talent at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on June 20.
Zimbabwe have a busy couple of weeks ahead of them, starting with the Stellenbosch camp.
According to general manager, Takunda “TJ” Chifokoyo, the coach is expected to make some huge decisions in the next few days.
“It is a huge positive to have some of our top and new guys in camp as it allows coach Benade a chance to have a look at them before making his final squad selection,” he said.
“Everything is riding on the Stellenbosch camp where Benade has most of the players he wanted in.
“Yes, there are still a few players who failed to get their releases on time with guys like Cleopas Kundiona expected to come in at the end of the month or just in time for the Nations Cup
“The list we were handed by the Sables technical team is not yet complete as there are still other players who will likely miss the July window.
“We hope to call them up later, say the November window, so Benade and his team can have a look at them,” he said.
The Sables training squad tells a rather compelling story with Benade preferring to use this opportunity to look at the foreign-based and new players.
Only eight home-based players managed to make the cut.
Jeff Makoni, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Brendan Mason, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrell Makwasha and Trevor Gurwe are part of the squad.
There are also a couple new names like Tude Visser, Dale Lemon (Hartpury. UK), Gary Porter (DHL Stormers, South Africa), Daniel Cooke (Chinnor RFC, UK) and Bruce Houston (USBPA Rugby, France), who Benade will look at with a view to add firepower to his Sables team.
Farai Mudariki and Martin Mangongo have also returned to the Sables set-up after making the cut
Sables training squad
Forwards
Victor Mupunga, Tude Visser, Jeff Makoni, Matthew Mandioma, Liam Larkin, Bryan Chaing, Farai Mudariki, Bornwell Gwinji, Michael Kumbirai, Dale Lemon, Gary Porter, Blithe Mavesere, Daniel Cooke, Dylan Utete, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Simbarashe Siraha
Backs
Hilton Mudariki, Keegan Joubert, Tyrone Gombe, Bruce Houston, Edward Siguake, Brendan Mason, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Dion Khumalo, Trevor Gurwe, Martin Mangongo, Tapiwa Mafura, Brendon Mudzekenyedzi
