adminNgqabutho Moyo Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Sevens Rugby team left for China from South Africa to participate in the HSCB tournament yesterday. The Cheetahs trained for a week with the South African team, Blitzbokke who are also preparing for the same tournament set for Hong Kong beginning on Friday. The team underwent their week-long intensive training at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, training alongside the Blitzbokke, SA EPD Academy and Maties Rugby.
Cheetahs coach Daniel Hondo is optimistic that his 12-member squad will do well.
“It was an honour to have trained with one of the top ranked sides in the World Sevens Series having so far collected 93 points. We believe that this will not only boost our team’s confidence but will also have a positive impact on their game,” he said.
Hondo said out of the 17 members who travelled to South Africa, they managed to select a strong 12-member squad.
In Hong Kong, the Cheetahs will do battle in the 12-team second tier competition where Russia and Spain are the representatives from Europe, Papua New Guinea and Tonga from Oceania, Zimbabwe and Tunisia from Africa, Mexico and Guyana from North America and the Caribbean, Uruguay and Brazil from South America and hosts Hong Kong and Korea from Asia.
South Africa are in a stronger pool dominated by Sevens rugby strong nations.
Zimbabwe were drawn into Pool F where they are expected to take on Spain, Tonga and Georgia in the core membership qualification first stage.
Zimbabwe final squad
Boyd Rouse, Shayne Makombe, Kilvan Magunje, Hilton Mudariki, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Riaan O’neill, Kuda Chiwanza, Biselele Tshamala, Jacques Leitao (captain.), Graham Kaulback, Stephan Hunduza, Hondo Danny (head coach), Steve Macdonald (team manager)
Online Reporter