Sables name final squad for Africa Cup

ZIMBABWE Rugby Union (ZRU) has named their final 28-member squad for the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup which starts in Uganda on Saturday.

The Sables squad is made up of mainly local-based players but received a boost with stars such as Tino Mavesere and Tapiwa Mafura joining the rest of the squad during the start of the week. It is a blend of experienced and young talent. They are set to leave the country tomorrow for East Africa.

“With the addition of key foreign-based players to the consortium of grinding locals, the Sables are poised to mount a strong challenge for the coveted title. The squad is confident and determined ahead of its departure for Kampala on Thursday morning,” read a statement from ZRU.

In the past few weeks, the players have been hard at work in preparation for the continental tournament which serves as the first step towards qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup that will be hosted in Australia. Zimbabwe are scheduled to face the tournament hosts, Uganda in their opening game of the showpiece on July 20 at the newly-refurbished Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

A win for the Sables against the hosts will see them go on to face the winner between Namibia and Burkina Faso on July 24 in the semi-finals. The finals are scheduled for Sunday July 28. The Rugby Africa Cup is a continental men’s rugby union tournament organised by Rugby Africa. The 2024 edition of the tournament features eight nations and these are: Burkina Faso, Namibia, Senegal, Kenya, Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

With the Sables facing Uganda, Namibia will be up against Burkina Faso while Kenya will take on Senegal. Algeria will be up against Cote d’Ivoire in the first round of matches. The Sables are hoping to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World, which will be their first appearance at the global event since 1991 and have been building a competitive side in a bid to qualify. They need to stay in the top four of the forthcoming event, which serves as the first stage towards Australia 2027.

There will be another Africa Cup next year whose winners will qualify directly to the World Cup, joining defending champions South Africa as the two African nations. However, there will be a third place for the taking with the runners-up of the 2025 Africa Cup going on to play in the Africa/Asia play-off match against Asian runners up to decide who will progress to the final qualification tournament. –

Sables squad for Africa Cup:

Forwards: Victor Mupunga, Simba Mandioma, Cleopas Kundiona, David Makamba, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Tino Mavesere, Simba Siraha, Aiden Burnett (VC), Zvikomborero Chimoto, Bryan Chiang, Bornwell Gwinji, Hilton Kamanda, Tadiwa Gwashu, Dylan Utete, Brian Nyaude, Tawanda Banda, Brian Makamure.

Backs: Hilton Mudariki (C), Ian Prior, Edward Sigauke, Kudzi Mashawi (CC), Dion Khumalo, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Tapiwa Mafura, Keegan Joubert, Darrell Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Takudzwa Musingwini. – @brandon_malvin