adminMehluli Sibanda Senior Sports Reporter
THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture Thokozile Chitepo has expressed government’s full support for the Zimbabwe national 15s rugby team the Sables ahead of their participation in the Draught Tri-Nations tournament in Windhoek, Namibia this week.
Speaking at a cocktail organised for the team by a Bulawayo company Acol Chemicals at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds on Saturday evening, Chitepo wished the Sables luck in the upcoming tournament where they will come up against Kenya and Namibia.
“On behalf of the government, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, I wish you all the best going to Namibia and your quest to qualify for the Rugby World Cup,’’ said Chitepo.
She said her Ministry prides itself in the brilliant sportspersons that the country is blessed with like the Sables and strategies were being formulated on how to improve Zimbabwean sports, in which all Zimbabwe should have an input.
Chitepo was accompanied by the Principal Director in the Ministry Paul Damasane.
In attendance at the function was the 29-man Sables training squad, Sables head coach Brendon Dawson, assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge, team manager Losson Mtongwiza, Zimbabwe Rugby Union technical director Liam Middleton, ZRU vice-presidents Coleen De Jong, Nyararai Sibanda, Matabeleland Rugby Referees Society chairman Simbarashe Dangah and his deputy Trevor Chapenga.
Other dignitaries were Bulawayo businessman Jabulani Nkomo who is also the patron of the Sportswriters Association of Zimbabwe Southern Region chapter, the Principal Director in the Office of the late vice-president John Landa Nkomo, Benson Dube as well as Delta Beverages Southern Region sales services manager Casper Dube.
The Zimbabwe Sables are holding their final training camp in Bulawayo where the final squad of 24 players would be chosen for the trip to Namibia. Six players in the training squad have never played for the Sables and with all of them most likely to make it into the final squad, it means that they will make their debuts in Namibia. The United Kingdom-based scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, loose forward Kingsley Lang, centre Sean Moan, the South Africa based duo of second rower Graham Logan, front rower Kevin Nqindi and lock Michael Passaportis who plays club rugby in France are the uncapped players.
In Namibia, the Sables will play against their hosts on Friday evening before rounding off their participation when they clash with Kenya in another match set for the evening next Tuesday.
Zimbabwe’s match against Namibia is going to be officiated by respected South African referee Jonathan Kaplan in one of the his last international assignments before he brings an end to his illustrious career while Namibian Jackie Husselmann has been appointed for Zimbabwe’s encounter with Kenya.
The tournament is crucial for the Sables in that they will play against two of the three teams they will face off against at the International Rugby Board Rugby World Cup Africa qualifiers in Antananarivo, Madagascar next year where the winner will automatically book their place in England while the runners up will still get a chance to go to England through a play off process with countries from other continents.
Zimbabwe is bidding to qualify for the IRB Rugby World Cup for the third time after their appearance at the 1987 and 1991 events.
Meanwhile skipper Daniel Hondo did not train with the team on Saturday and yesterday morning because of a tight hamstring. Team manager Mtongwiza said the veteran centre was rested as a form of precaution and the 31 year old was going to resume practice with the rest of the team in yesterday’s afternoon session.
Hondo has been confirmed as the team leader for the tour to Namibia and would be deputised by Old Georgians loose forward Jacques Leitao who is also the national sevens rugby team captain.
Zimbabwe Sables final training squad
Props: Nick Winwood (Blackheath, England), Pieter Joubert (OGs), Kevin Nqindi (Belhar Rugby Club, SA), Fidel Nyabusha (HSC), Jakov Jakov (OGs)
Hookers: Keith Murray (OGs), Royal Mwale (Ballito Dolphins, SA)
Locks: Jan Ferreira (Mat Warriors), Michael Passaportis (Valence, France), Martin Wolfenden (Cambridge RFC, UK), Graham Logan (University of Pretoria, SA)
Loose Forwards: Kingsley Lang (Jersey, England), Fortune Chipendu (OGs) Jacques Leitao (OGs, vice-Captain), Andrew Rose (Boroughmuir, Scotland)
Scrumhalves: Phil Machisa (HSC), Hilton Mudariki (Amersham & Chiltern, England)
Flyhalves: Boyd Rouse (OGs), Lenience Tambwera (HSC), Tichafara Makwanya (OH)
Centres: Daniel Hondo (HSC, Captain), Simbarashe Chirimuuta (HSC), Sean Moan (Blackheath, England)
Wings: Kudakwashe Chiwanza (OGs), Stephan Hunduza (HSC), Gardner Nechironga (OH), Shayne Makombe (HSC)
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