The selection comes following an intensive 10 day training camp which has seen most of the familiar faces retaining their places in the team. The likes of Tangai Nemadire, Jan and Schalk Ferreira, Jacques Leitao, Njabulo Ndlovu, Denford Mutamangira, Daniel Hondo, Mathew Mandiona, and Tafadzwa Chitongwindo, all staking claim in the squad.
Also in the team which is seeking a place at the World Cup after a 23 year absence are the likes of Keith Murray, Lawrence Cleminson, Graeme Lawler, Lambert Smith Groenewald, Hilton Mudariki, Guy Cronje, Riaan O’Neil, Sanele Sibanda, Danny Robertson, Kingsley Lang, Peter Du Toit, Pieter Joubert, Kevin Ngindi, Gerald Sibanda, Farai Mudariki, and Lanience Tambwera.
The team was picked following a game between the Possibles and the Probables. Coach Brendan Dawson said this is the best team he could come up with adding that he is confident that his new crop of heroes will make the country proud by qualifying for the World Cup.
Dawson was part of the Zimbabwean team that played at the finals in 1991. Apart from Dawson the team has also been under the guidance of South African coach Balie Swart, a specialist in the scrums. Swart who was seconded to Zimbabwe by the International Rugby Board works for South African Rugby as a scrum coach and selector.
Previously Swart was the scrum coach for the Sharks franchise, but currently also works with SANZAR developing coaches and referees The Sables begin their quest for qualification with a game against hosts Madagascar on Saturday before engaging Namibia on July 2 and Kenya on July 6.
Post published in: Rugby