FOLLOWING the completion of the first phase of the national trials last week, the Sables technical department is expected to name a 24-man senior national rugby team side after the final phase on Saturday.
REPORT BY DANIEL NHAKANISO
A selections match pitting the Possibles vs Probables squads at Old Hararians will culminate in the picking of a national squad for this year’s international assignments.
Said Sables team manager Losson Mtongwiza: “A touring team of 24 players with six non-travelling reserves will be announced after the Possibles versus Probables match at Old Hararians on Saturday. All the locally-based players are expected to feature in the match while the foreign-based players will be excused from the selection match.
“The successful players will represent the country on a five-day tour of South Africa where we are playing Valke on June 12 and Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday 14 June.”
Zimbabwe’s flagship rugby side was initially scheduled to open their 2013 season with a home Test against Belgium on June 1, but the European third-tier side cancelled its visit due to financial problems.
“Belgium have pulled out and can no longer come due to financial constraints on their part,” said Mtongwiza.
The highlight of the Sables’ calendar this year will be the defence of their African rugby title in Madagascar in July.
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Zimbabwe, who are the reigning African champions, need a good performance in Madagascar to keep their 2015 World Cup hopes alive.
The Sables will play the hosts in the first match of the African Zone Group 1A event, with the winner taking on the victor between Kenya and Uganda in the final.
Brendan Dawson’s men need to stay in the top tier Africa Group 1A until next year to be able to keep their World Cup hopes intact.
The Possibles and Probables squads will be drawn from the following players below:
Chilliboy Nhepera, Tatenda Kiwi, Tatenda Gwesu, Tinashe Bopoto, Takudzwa Bvunzawabaya, Rees Surtees, Zvikomborero Murangari, Antipas Kamukwindo, Costa Dinha, Tawanda Chowe, Jacques Leitao, Andrew Rose, Philemon Machisa, Boyd Rous, Stephen Hunduza, Michael Fox Morris, Gavin Nyawata, Shane Makombe, Craig Elcombe, Takudzwa Mutataguta, Paul Kamwemba, Kelvin Magunje, Lloyd Machanjaira, Japhet Ndebele, Lucky Sithole, Tapiwa Mangezi, Fortune Chipendo, Lungile Tshuma, Jan Ferreira, Jakov Jakov, Jonathan Goosen, Scott Flowers, Samson Makuku, Tich Chidongo, Tichafara Makwanya, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, Boxer Nyawata, Ryan Spraky, Kuda Chiwanza, Pieter Joubert, Kudakwashe Kambasha, Tafadzwa Bepura, Ashley Mabhena, Raymond Dzvairo, Young Jijita, Sean Chigumbura, Shingai Mpofu, Lenience Tambwera, Tatenda Karuru, Nick Winwood, Denford Mutamangira, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Brian Makamure, Garth Ziegler, Njabulo Ndlovu, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Keith Murray, Tatenda Karuru, Sanele Sibanda, Simba Bwanya, Ross Cronje, Guy Cronje, Manasah Sita, Gerald Sibanda
