Gweru Sports Club speed-star Kilvan Magunje will make his debut on the HSBC Sevens World Series after being named in the Zimbabwe Sevens Rugby team which will take part in the last two rounds of the World Series in Scotland and England starting next weekend.
Magunje’s inclusion was the only surprise in the 12-man Cheetahs’ squad named yesterday ahead of skipper Jacques Leitao who misses out on the team’s maiden appearance in England and Scotland due to work commitments.
Vice-captain Danny Hondo will captain the side in the absence of Leitao.
Magunje is not new to the Cheetahs set-up as he has previously featured in regional tournaments in South Africa, Zambia and the recent Spar International Sevens tournament.
Cheetahs team manager Bruce Hobson told NewsDay Sport yesterday that Magunje had earned his place in the team.
“It will be Magunje’s first appearance on the World Series and I believe he is a worthy replacement for Jacques. He has been working hard and I’m sure he showcased what he is capable of during the Spar International Sevens tournament,” he said.
Hobson admitted his charges faced a tall order in Pool C alongside Fiji, Argentina and Portugal but said mental toughness would be the key.
“Every group at that stage of the game is always going to be tough. Every group has a top-ranked team and in ours we will take on Fiji who are a very good side. I think mental toughness will be the key to ensure that we minimise the mistakes.
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“The last time we met Fiji in Port Elizabeth we managed to acquit ourselves very well. Argentina are a bit inconsistent and we shocked them in Dubai two years ago. I don’t see why we can’t do it again. Portugal are probably the reason why we will not be a core-member on the World Series after beating us in the quarter-finals in Hong Kong, so we will be out for revenge ,” said Hobson.
The Cheetahs are expected to leave the country tomorrow stopping over in Dubai where they will hold a training session on Monday before connecting to Glasgow on Tuesday.
Gilbert Nyamutsamba’s men play all their Pool matches next Saturday at the Scotstoun Stadium in the Scottish capital.
Soon after the Glasgow Sevens, the Cheetahs will have very little time to recover as they will immediately shift their focus to the Marriott London Sevens at Twickenham from May 12-13.
Squad: F Chipendu, K Magunje, J Coles, N Ndlovu, M Sita, M Morris, T Nemadire, G Kulback, D Hondo, G Sibanda, G Nechironga, W Mbanje
