Veronica Gwaze-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Zimbabwe senior men’s rugby team, the Sables can earnestly start building towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup when they go through the grill at the upcoming Nations Cup in the United Kingdom.
Scheduled to run between November 7 and 21, Zimbabwe are penciled to play Samoa, Uruguay and Chile in a tournament expected to give the Sables a competitive platform to refine their World Cup squad.
And for his part, Sables head coach Pieter Benade yesterday announced his 30-member squad for next month’s Nations Cup fixtures.
The traveling squad has been bolstered by the addition of at least 12 internationals, who are expected to either join camp upon the opening of the November international window or link up with the team in the UK.
The Sables beat Namibia 36-33 in a thrilling friendly at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday in Zimbabwe’s first Test at the venue in over two decades.
And Benade has retained majority of the players who did duty against the Welwitschias as Hilton Mudariki, Kudzai Mashawi and Aiden Burnette are expected to continue their leadership duties.
Among the additions are the likes of Victor Mupunga, Tijde Visser, Tyran Fagan, Cleopas Kundiona, Farai Mudariki , Bornwell Gwinji, Dale Lemon, Blithe Mavesere, Ian Prior, Jason Robertson, Edward Sigauke, and Bruce Houston.
Brandon Mudzviti has also been rewarded for an outstanding Grid Cup campaign with a call up.
Samoa, Uruguay and Chile will be a step up from Namibia with Benade hoping to use the next three games to assess combinations, set-piece solidity and squad depth.
“For the Namibian game, we had to rely largely on local based players because we were not in an international break so most clubs could not release their players,” he said.
“I am happy that the boys we entrusted with that game did not disappoint, they raised their hands and did justice in the positions showing that we are spoilt for choices in any game or tournament.
“Now the international based players will be there for the Nations Cup and it is time for us to test our depth, combinations and above all build cohesion in the team.”
Against Namibia, the Sables showed character with Mudariki leading from the front.
The retention of the core ensures continuity in the departments while the internationals come in to add a little firepower.
The Nations Cup tournament is aimed at giving next year’s World Cup participants plenty of competitive game time and help in their preparations for the global showcase.
“It is important that we get such platforms where the entire team can be together, I think we are about 50-60 players deep so in such opportunities we are able to build a bond between the locals and our international based,” said Benade.
“There are certain aspects of the game that you can focus on very well when the entire team is available so that they grasp the message and learn together at once.
“One thing that we have been able to do is stay very consistent in the main test windows, so this gives us some continuity. Also we spent about six weeks together between June and July.
“I think we saw how our European pack and props handled themselves well in the last Nations Cup window,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Traveling Squad:
Hilton Mudariki (C), Victor Mupunga, Tijan Vissers, Tyran Fagan, Cleopas Kundiona, Farai Mudariki, Bornwell Gwinji, Liam Larkan, Bryan Chiang, Simbarashe Mandioma, Gary Porter, Daniel Cooke, Dale Lemon, Blithe Mavesere, Dylan Utete, Tadiwa Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Vuyani Dhlomo, Tyrone Gombe, Ian Prior, Jason Robertson, Kudzai Mashawi, Dion Khumalo, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Tapiwa Mafura, Trevor Gurwe, Edward Sigauke, Bruce Houston, Brendon Mudzwiti
