adminUnder-20 rugby players have been drafted in the Sables squad.
The Sables are expected to take part in the Africa Cup mini-tournament set for Uganda at the end of next month in a group that includes rivals Madagascar, Cote d’Ivoire and hosts Uganda.
Young Sables’ scrumhalf Charles Jiji and Takura Tela, eighthman Takudzwa Mandiwanza, hooker Tatenda Karuru and fullbacks Lungile Tshuma and Justin Coles have been named in the expanded 51-member squad.
The six are part of the Under-20 side expected to represent the continent at the Junior World Rugby Trophy set for Tbilisi, Georgia, in 10 days time.
Having caught the eye of the Sables’ selectors in their game against the Under-23 Select side last Friday, the players forced their way into the senior team.
Last year Brian Makamure, who was part of the side that toured Russia for the junior tournament, made init for the Sables upon his return, earning his first cap for the senior side in Kenya.
At the end of the year another former Under-20 player Tafadzwa Chitokwindo made it into the Cheetahs side that travelled to Dubai and George and was also part of the Sevens side that featured at the Hong Kong Sevens this year.
Coles has several Cheetahs caps and will also be travelling with the junior side for the world tournament next week.
Sables manager Nody Kanyangarara, who announced the squad yesterday, said there could be changes to the team depending on the availability of foreign-based players.
“Since we will be playing in June some University players in South Africa will be in the middle of writing exams so we will have to juggle around with the squad.
“We have selected quite a number of the Under-20 players that will be going to Georgia later this month but they will be joining us on their return.
“The squad is not limited to these players only but we will keep monitoring players as the season progresses,” said the former Old Hararians’ assistant coach.
The squad is dominated by locally based players while 13 foreign-based players have been drafted in, including Biselele Tshamala, Chitokwindo, Mandiwanza and Germany-based Manasah Sita.
However, Sita has ruled himself out of the squad as he will be undergoing trials in France with two top clubs – Montpellier and Bourgouin.
“That’s the time I will be on trials (in France) so I don’t think I will make it (for the African tournament).
“France will be good, the competition there is very high and if I can make it then it will be a dream come true . . . I am hoping for the best,” said Sita.
Sables Squad
Props: Denford Mtamangira, Kudakwashe Kambasha (Sports Club), Pieter Joubert, Tinashe Moyo (Old Georgians), Brian Makamure (Rhodes University),
Hookers: Tatenda Karuru (Old Hararians), Devon Esbach (Old Georgians), Tolerance Zishe, Raymond Dzvairo (Sports Club)
Locks: Fortune Chipendu, Shaun Penny (Old Georgians), Jonathan Goosen, Tafadzwa Bepura (Sports Club), Sanele Sibanda, (Busters), Schalk Fereira, Jan Fereira (Busters)
Flankers: Lucky Sithole (Old Miltonians), Gardener Nechironga (SA), Jacques Leitao (Old Georgians), Shingirai Mpofu, Samson Makuku (Sports Club)
Number 8: Njabulo Ndlovu, Dan Nicholls, Biselele Tshamala (SA), Ruramayi Kudenga, Owen Chiutare (Sports Club), Takudzwa Mandiwanza (England),
Half backs: Takura Tela (Sports Club), Charles Jiji (SA), Osmond Lynx (Old Miltonians), James Nyatanga (Old Hararians), Mike Coleman (Old Georgians).
Flyhalves: Tichafara Makwanya (Old Hararians), Macalvine Makoni (Sports Club).
Centres: Daniel Hondo (Sports Club), Victor Zimbawo (Old Hararians), Lloyd Machanjaire, Japhet Ndebele (Busters), Gerald Sibanda (SA), Dylan Bradshaw (Old Georgians).
Wingers: Tafadzwa Chitokwindo (Rhodes University), Manasa Sita (Germany), Tangai Nemadire, Kudakwashe Kudenga (Sports Club), Andre Pike (Old Georgians), Wesley Mbanje (SA), Shayne Makombe
Fullbacks: Cleopas Makotose, Justin Coles (SA), Danny Robertson (Old Georgians), Lungile Tshuma (Old Hararians).
Coach: Brendon Dawson
Assistant: Cyprian Mandenge
Manager: Nody Kanyangarara
Physio: Farai Muguwe
Young Sables Squad
Zer Makomva, Tatenda Karuru, Murray Bryce-Rodgers, Takudzwa Jaravaza, Regis Mutangadura, Farai Jijita, Sean Joubert, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Charles Jiji, Thomas Nelson, Dylan Coetzee, Mclean Muhambi, Kuda Chiwanza, Justin Coles, Corey van Rensberg. Simba Gonese, Ian Muza, Delroy Sibanda, Michael Sinclair, Kuda Mudariki, Sean Linfield, Takura Tela, Marco Mama, Graham Logan, Lungile Tshuma.
Coach: Brighton Chivandire
Assistant: Godwin Murambiwa.
Online Reporter