Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union is pulling out all the stops in their bid to fill up the National Sports Stadium when the Sables host Namibia in an international friendly match next week.
The match, slated for October 24, is the Sables’ last stop before they travel to the United Kingdom for the November leg of the World Rugby Nations Cup.
Zimbabwe will host Samoa and Uruguay on November 7 and 14, before travelling to France for their match against Chile on November 21.
The match against Samoa will be held at the Wakefield Trinity Stadium in Wakefield, while they will host Uruguay at the Trailfinders Sports Ground.
The Chile match will be played at the Stade Chanzy in Angouleme, France.
“We are quite excited to get this opportunity to bring the Sables to the people at a new and bigger venue,” said ZRU Interim Management Committee chairperson, Paddy Zhanda Jnr.
“The Sports and Recreation Commission have already signed off, and all that remains is a stress test to see if the stadium and turf will hold up.
“The Sables will soon get the chance to have a run-out at the National Sports Stadium, just to get a feel of the ground.
“Zimbabwe playing at the National Sports Stadium is part of an ongoing exercise where we hope to try out different and bigger venues as opposed to our traditional grounds,” he said.
“Ideally, we would love to fill up the stadium or, at the very least, get as close as possible to full capacity.
“The cheapest ticket will be going for as little as a dollar, and this is mainly to get as many people into the ground as possible.
“There will be other packages, of course, for those who will want to get an enhanced experience come game day,” said the rugby boss.
The official prices and packages will be released in due course.
The Sables recently regrouped to resume their preparations for both the October friendly and the November leg of the World Rugby Nations Cup.
Piet Benade and his technical team have since announced their training squad for the Namibia game, which will be headlined by the return of skipper Hilton Mudariki.
Mudariki has been sidelined with a Grade 2 calf tear sustained during the Sables’ 31-15 loss to the US back in July.
Having completed his rehab, the Zimbabwe Sables captain is now earmarked for an early return after he was named among the training squad scrum-halves alongside Keegan Joubert and Wayne Kunaka.
United Kingdom-based fly-half David Hayes was also among the additions and will get a second chance to make a lasting impression in Sables colours.
Hayes will be challenging for the number 10 jersey alongside Andrew Maringa and Brandon Mudzwiti.
The quartet of Vuyani Dhlomo, Dion Khumalo, Trevor Gurwe and Ryan Musumhi has also been pulled out of sevens training with the Cheetahs to join the Sables.
The four were instrumental in helping the Cheetahs win their first Africa Cup title since 2018 and, more importantly, secure a berth at the World Rugby HSBC SVNS 3 circuit.
With November fast approaching, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union had hoped to secure more competitive game time for the Sables, with Namibia, Germany, Botswana, Zambia and even their Nations Cup opponents Chile among those targeted for a packed October friendlies window.
Unfortunately, a combination of budgetary constraints and timing has seen the matches against Germany, Botswana, Zambia and Chile fail to materialise.
“We were looking at a couple of teams for our October friendlies window, with Germany and Chile among the top targets,” said Zhanda.
“Unfortunately, budgetary constraints saw the games against Chile and Germany fail to materialise.
“The Botswana national team failed to get clearance to travel from their SRC, while Zambia had to withdraw as their league is currently in action.
“Namibia ended up being the only option, but we had hoped to play two games against them.
“Unfortunately, they are an amateur league and seven to 10 days away from work for their players was just too big an ask,” he said.
Zimbabwe training squad:
PROPS: Jeff Makoni, Munashe Mhere, Emmanuel Gabi, Deanne Makoni, Ishmael Bara, Mthabisi Ndlovu, Bornwell Gwinji, Kudzwai Dube, Admire Shoniwa.
HOOKERS: Simba Mandioma, Torbyn Visser, Liam Larkan, Bryan Chiang, Vuyiswa Mpofu, Giordano Sarpo.
LOCKS: Daniel Cooke, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Tapiwa Muberekwa, Nyasha Tarusenga, Vimbiso Kasvove, Godwin Mangenje, Nyasha Shiripinda.
LOOSE FORWARDS: Aiden Burnett, Allan Maunga, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Dylan Utete, Vuyani Dhlomo, Bryan Nyaude, Innocent Ncube, Blessed Mukuwiri, Godfrey Muzanargwo.
SCRUM-HALVES: Hilton Mudariki, Wayne Kunaka, Keegan Joubert.
FLY-HALVES: Brandon Mudzwiti, David Hayes, Andrew Maringa.
CENTRES: Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Dion Khumalo, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Brendan Mason.
OUTSIDE BACKS: Godfrey Magaramombe, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Trevor Gurwe, Tapiwa Mafura, Ryan Musumhi, Cletos Sunduza, Callon Matsikira.
