adminScotland-based prop Denford Mtamangira, eighthman Norman Mukondiwa, England-based scrummy Charles Jiji and Brian Makamure are some of the foreign-based players who are reported to have confirmed their participation in the game.
This game is expected to herald the beginning of serious preparations for the Sables for both the Confederation of African Rugby Cup and the Victoria Cup campaign.
Players in Harare are under the guidance of assistant coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge and manager Losson Mtongwiza and are training on Mondays and Wednesday at Harare Sports Club.
They include fullback Danny Robertson, veteran Costa Dinha, Shingi Mpofu of Sports Club and Cheetahs’ captain Jacques Leitao.
Zimbabwe are set to take on hosts Tunisia, Kenya and Uganda in the Africa Cup set to take place between July 9 and 15 in Tunis.
Their opponents, Uganda and Kenya, have already begun their international assignments, giving them a head-start in terms of preparations.
Uganda and Kenya have been involved in the Elgon Cup with Uganda winning the annual tournament that is played on a home-and-away basis.
A 40-man Elgon Warriors squad, comprising players from the Kenyan and Ugandan national teams, has been named.
The squad will be trimmed down with the final team set to play the visiting English Counties on June 9 and 16 in Kampala and Nairobi.
The Sables will again engage Kenya and Uganda in home-and-away Victoria Cup games between July 14 and August 11.
Valke will be the Sables’ first notable opponents in a competitive game this year.
The Sables preparations for the Tests were expected to start in March when the technical team was announced but they are yet to hit the right footing with some players training in Bulawayo and Harare.
This year, the Sables primary aim is to make sure they remain in Group 1A of the tournament so that they take part in the World Cup qualifying round next year.
“I was happy with what we managed to achieve last season, which is why I reapplied for the job. I’m glad I have been given another opportunity to lead the country as the head coach,” said Sables’ coach, Brendan Dawson.
“My primary goal will be to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup in 2015.
“We have the qualifiers next year and we have to make sure that we start the preparations soon.”
Dawson’s side is expected to take on Valke, who are also known as Falcons, in their first step in preparations.
“It is important that we start playing again as a team. A team like Valke will give our players the necessary preparation that we need going to the World Cup qualifiers.
“The team is not under any illusions on how hard this game is going to be and are steadily training for it,” said Mtongwiza.
Online Reporter