adminThe Sables coach Brendan Dawson was expected to name his 22-member squad last night.
He was happy with his team’s preparations and said everyone was raring to go.
“We have been in camp since Monday and the guys are in good shape. They were training in Harare and Bulawayo prior to the camp and as it is everyone is looking forward to the competition,” said Dawson.
In Tunis, the Sables will meet the hosts, with the winner progressing to the final to meet either Uganda or defending champions Kenya, who are pitted in the other semi-final.
Zimbabwe are ranked 32nd on IRB World Rankings and should expect a tough encounter against Tunisia.
The North Africans are two places behind the Sables on the rankings and are one of the continental giants.
In their last two meetings, the Sables were victorious on both occasions with a 24-13 win in a World Cup African Zone qualifier at Morris Depot in 1991 and another 43-9 triumph in a friendly international in Bulawayo in 1998.
Dawson was part of the last squad that faced Tunisia, which means the former Old Miltonians eighthman will be aware of their tactics more than any other in the current set-up.
Dawson who led the Sables past both Uganda and Kenya in last year’s Victoria Cup said they were preparing for a physical game.
“The Tunisians play a French type of rugby because most of their players are based there. They combine a physical and running type of game, but we are preparing to match them in every department.
“We will try to restrict them to their own half and avoid losing possession,” Dawson said.
Some of the players expected to make it into the travelling squad are veterans Costa Dinha, Fortune Chipendu, Jacques Leitao, Cleopas Makotose and Wesley Mbanje.
Squad
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira, Pieter Joubert, Jakov Jakov, Kudakwashe Kambasha, Tinashe Bopoto, Alfred Sairai, Costa Dinha, Jan Ferreira, Fortune Chipendu, Takunda Chifokoyo, Norman Mukondiwa, Shingirayi Mpofu, Jacques Leitao, Prayer Chitenderu, Tatenda Karuru, Brian Makamure, Samson Makuku.
Backs: Charles Jiji, Scotty Jones, Tichafara Makwanya, Linience Tambwera, Daniel Hondo, Cleopas Makotose, Tangai Nemadire, Danny Robertson, Kudakwashe Chiwanza, Gavin Nyawata, Raymond de Jong, Josh Rowe, Wesley Mbanje
Online Reporter