adminPetros Kausiyo in CAPE TOWN, South Africa
INJURY-ravaged Zimbabwe Sables are expected to fly out of South Africa today and shift base to France, which will be the theatre of their 2023 World Cup campaign, early next month.
The Sables, emerging from a Covid-19-induced two-year hiatus, have been holed up in Cape Town where they had set base as they took part in the Currie Cup First Division.
They will make a four-day stop-over in Paris before heading to Netherlands for a Test against the Dutch on June 25.
Brendan Dawson, in his second attempt at World Cup qualification as Sables coach, has been forced by injuries to make do without, at least, seven key players who were set to make the final travelling party to the Africa Cup.
The former Zimbabwe captain’s first crack at World Cup qualification as coach came in 2014 where they came agonisingly close when the Sables beat Kenya in their final round robin tie in Madagascar but failed to get the bonus point they needed to cross the line.
This year’s Rugby Africa Cup, scheduled for July 1-11, is also being used as the qualifier for the World Cup.
Dawson, who featured for Zimbabwe in their last appearance at the World Cup in 1991, had to look elsewhere as injuries meant he could not call on players who include tighthead props Farai Mudariki and Michael Kumbirai.
Wing Tavonga Ablant, flanker Blithe Mavesere, locks Andrew Evans and Kudakwashe Kufarengwa and centre Brendon Mudzekenyedze have also been sidelined by injuries at a critical moment for Zimbabwe.
Dawson acknowledged the impact of the injuries on his side but noted they would have to make do with the available players.
“We have a host of injuries and while we were here for the Currie Cup, we have had two-bad injuries, two of our main locks are no longer with us being Goofy (Kudakwashe Nyakufarengwa) and Andrew Evans).
“They have pulled out due to injury and that is a big blow to us and to our system and a blow to the team,’’ Dawson said.
As they wound-up their Currie Cup campaign on Saturday with a clash against Johannesburg outfit Valke, which they lost 26-16, the Sables, also received yet another injury scare.
Under-20 wing Brendon Marume did not last the first half after limping off with an ankle problem. Dawson named a 31-man travelling party that blends youth and experience with veteran flanker Biselele Tshamala, with 47 caps to his name among the seasoned players.
Skipper and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, capped 30 times is also an experienced player while Takudzwa Musingwini, non-travelling reserve Tawanda Matipano and Marume were catapulted from the Young Sables side that won the Under-20 Barthes Trophy in Kenya in April.
Zimbabwe will open their Africa Cup campaign with a quarter-final showdown with Cote d’Ivoire on July 2 in Marseille.
Zimbabwe Africa Cup squad:
Tyran Fagan, Victor Mupunga, Matthew Mandioma, Liam Larkan, Cleopas Kundiona, Bornwell Gwinji, Sean Beevor, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Godwin Mangenje, Kelvin Kanenungo, Johan Du Preez, Nyasha Tarusenga, Jason Fraser, Hilton Mudariki (captain) Kyle Galloway, Takudzwa Musingwini, Takudzwa Chieza, Riaan O’Neill, Marcus Nel, Tapiwa Mafura, Matthew McNab, Shingirai Katsvere, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Brendon Marume, Shayne Makombe, Ngoni Chibuwe, Aiden Burnett, Royal Mwale, Martin Mangongo, Gabriel Sipapate, Biselele Tshamala
Non-travelling reserves
Carlos Matematema, Tawanda Matipano, George Saungweme,
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter