adminSenior Sports Reporter
FOR the second year running Zimbabwean rugby players plying their trade with KwaZulu-Natal based clubs in South Africa have made it into the Sharks Club XV. The Sharks Club XV won the Central Amateur Provincial title in Kimberly last Friday. Loose forward Biselele Tshamala of Varsity College, versatile forward Royal Mwale from College Rovers and the University of KwaZulu-Natal Impi duo of front rower Matthew Mandioma and backline player Shayne Makombe were part of the Sharks Club XV that defeated Free State Central 47-13 in the final.
All the four players have turned out for Zimbabwe at senior rugby level. On the way to the final, the Sharks Club XV thrashed Free State Rural 99-0 on Monday and followed that up with a 44-13 triumph over Free State Rural two days later to book a place in the final.
Tshamala and Mandioma sat out the final fixture due to injury with Makombe as well as Mwale in action. The Sharks Club XV now proceed to the national tournament where they will face off against Boland and Blue Bulls for a chance to be crowned provincial amateur champions.
Last year, Tshamala, Mwale and Makombe were also part of the Sharks club rugby side which won the same competition in Margate. Other Zimbabweans, Witness Mandizha and Sanele Sibanda were part of that side but did not make it this year.
Tshamala, capped at Under-20, senior 15s and sevens for Zimbabwe expressed joy at being chosen for the provincial side again.
The versatile forward who can slot in the second row and the loose trio has been playing club rugby in South Africa since 2011.
“It feels good as this is the place where new friends are made, club animosity is put behind us and we make a good happy squad to travel to different places of the country,’’ said Tshamala.
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