Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sables spent the better part of Africa Day doing a little sight-seeing and taking in South Africa’s attractions.
Piet Benade and his men are in South Africa for a high-intensity camp with the Blue Bulls, which starts today and runs until Saturday.
The Sables’ Daily Training Environment Squad is a select group of players brought together to train in a high-performance environment, preparing them for international competition.
The squad consists primarily of locally-based players, alongside the foreign-based contingent that wrapped up their seasons early.
It is also designed to provide an opportunity for a select number of uncapped, next-generation players to develop within the national set-up and gain exposure to elite-level rugby.
“It was always going to be tough for us to secure many games for the team, coming out of the stage that we were at as a union,” said Zimbabwe Rugby union Interim Management Committe (IMC) general manager Takunda “TJ” Chifokoyo.
In the absence of competitive matches, the union have organised two high-intensity camps for the Sables extended squad.
The first one is slated for May 27-30 with the Blue Bulls while the second one is scheduled for June 8-13 with South Africa’s Under-20 squad in Stellenbosch.
The camps will see the Sables gain access to state-of-art facilities, technical expertise and may also involve a couple of scrimmage matches.
I would really hate to be part of the technical team, solely based on the amount of talent that will be at coach Benade’s disposal.
“I am sure that he will want to pick 50 or 60 guys to take to the Nations Cup but that will not be possible.
“However, I am sure he has already started looking at the team with view of trimming down the squad.
“The squad for the Blue Bulls camp is one that I am sure will show our coaching staff what they will have at the disposal during the first window of the Nations Cup,” he said.
Benade is obviously delighted that a huge chunk of his foreign-based contingent has already started trickling in.
The likes of newboy David Hayes, Tapiwa Mafura and Michael Kumbirai have already come in.
Zim squad for Blue Bulls camp
Forwards: Jeff Makoni, Bryan Chaing, Bornwell Gwinji, Vuyani Dlomo, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Zvikomborero Chimoto, Simbarashe Mandioma, Munashe Mhere, Polite Phiri, Aiden Burnett, Liam Larkin, Kelvin Kanenungo, Godwin Mangenje
Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Brendan Mason, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Godfrey Magaramombe, Kyle Theron, Munashe Dukuswa, Keagan Jourbert, Tapiwa Mafura, Edward Siguake
