Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE coach Piet Benade is set to hand a few more newcomers their Sables’ maiden run-out as he seeks to assess as many players as possible in the build-up to the 2017 Rugby World Cup.
The Sables are currently in South Africa for the last leg of their Stellenbosch camp, which they will cap with a showdown against South Africa A.
That historic match against South Africa’s emerging talent is scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 20 and will precede the game between the Springboks and the Barbarians.
Benade looks set to hand the likes of United Kingdom pair of Tude Visser and Dale Lemon of Hartpury a run on.
The coach could also call on DHL Stormers’ lock Gary Porter, Daniel Cooke (Chinnor RFC, UK), and Bruce Houston (USBPA Rugby, France), who have never previously featured for the Sables.
Benade has also been unable to call on some of the Sables’ regulars, who include the flyhalf pair of Ian Prior and David Hayes, who are tied to some club commitments.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union Interim Management Committee general manager Takunda “TJ” Chifokoyo, indicated that Benade is expected to making some huge decisions before the game against South Africa as more players knock on the doors of the Sables’ recognition.
“We are very much relieved that most of our top-tier talents’ schedules have started to free up, particularly those in Europe and South Africa, as you can see from the players called in.
“Our biggest hurdle has always been regulation nine, which gives powers to clubs and allows us only to call in guys during the international windows.
“It is a huge positive to have some of our top and new guys in camp, as it allows coach Benade a chance to have a look at them before making his final squad selection,” Chifokoyo said.
“Everything is riding on the Stellenbosch camp, where Benade has most of the players he wanted in.
“Yes, there are still a few players who failed to get their releases on time, with guys like Cleopas Kundiona expected to come in at the end of the month or just in time for the Nations Cup.
“The list we were handed by the Sables technical team is not yet complete, as there are still other players who will likely miss the July window.
“We hope to call them up later, say the November window, so Benade and his team can have a look at them,” he said.
The Sables training squad currently in South Africa does tell a rather compelling story, with Benade preferring to use this opportunity to look at the foreign-based and new players.
Only nine locally-based players managed to make the cut for the travelling part for the June 20 assignment.
These are skipper Hilton Mudariki, Jeff Makoni, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Brendan Mason, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrell Makwasha and Trevor Gurwe.
Benade will most likely have a look with the view of adding fire-power to his Sables team.
France-based forward Farai Mudariki, who has had an on-off relationship with the Sables has bounced back, as did Poland-based centre Martin Mangongo who is set to end a two-year hiatus from the Zimbabwe senior team.
Sables Squad:
Forwards: Victor Mupunga, Tude Visser, Jeff Makoni, Matthew Mandioma, Liam Larkin, Bryan Chaing, Farai Mudariki, Bornwell Gwinji, Michael Kumbirai, Dale Lemon, Gary Porter, Blithe Mavesere, Daniel Cooke, Dylan Utete, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Simbarashe Siraha
Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Keegan Joubert, Tyrone Gombe, Bruce Houston, Edward Siguake, Brendan Mason, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Dion Khumalo, Trevor Gurwe, Martin Mangongo, Tapiwa Mafura, Brendon Mudzekenyedzi
