Zimbabwe Sables rugby coach Brendan Dawson named a fairly strong side for the Quadrangular series to be held in Stellenbosch, South Africa, early next month.
The other three teams to feature in the series are Kenya, Namibia and Brazil, with the tournament running from 12 – 21 November.
The Zimbabwe national rugby squad is headlined by the uncapped duo of France based loose forward Tapiwa Tsomondo and explosive utility back Tapiwa Mafura, who plies his trade in South Africa for the Pumas.
Tsomondo has featured for the Zimbabwe national Sevens side before, but his acceptance of this call up has excited those who have watched his career develop. He gives Dawson another option at Flank.
Zimbabwe’s tour is a timely boost as they continue to fine-tune their squad for the 2023 World Cup qualifiers. Ironically they will be playing two of the teams that stand in their way from representing Africa at the global rugby showpiece to be hosted by France.
The team is slowly shaping up, but Dawson still has significant problems, especially around the team’s spine. The Hooker position has been problematic for the sables, especially the last few years; it looks like it will continue in this tournament.
Another problem area for Zimbabwe is the Fly-half department, which continues to change personnel almost every match without any player, making the number 10 jersey theirs. Dawson has opted once again to go with two inexperienced fly halves Keith Chiwara and Riaan O’Neil. It will be interesting to see how they will fare against much stronger opposition.
Speedster Takudzwa Kumadiro who missed the two tests against Burkina Faso, returns to the fold and will give the gaffer a good headache as he is spoilt for choice in the backline division.
The Sables could have fielded a much stronger team were it not for late withdrawals by some players, injuries to some and club commitments for others. This would have helped the Sables technical team to gauge where the team is by fielding their strongest possible lineup against solid opposition.
Whatever the outcome from the tournament, the Sables should use this tour as a learning curve and fine-tune their game and tactics against more formidable opposition.
Zimbabwe will play Brazil in the other match, Namibia will take on Kenya in another game, with the winners from the two matches going on to play each other in the final and the losers playing in the third-place playoff.
Sables Team:
FORWARDS:
Tyron Fagan, Dean Makoni, Royal Mwale, George Saungweme,Tapiwa Tsomondo, Cleopas Kundiona, Sean Beevor,
Biselele Tshamala, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Aiden BurneU, Tonderai Chiwambutsa, Charles Gamhiwa,
Lawrence Cleminson, Godwin Mangenje, Victor Mapunga.
BACKS:
Hilton Mudariki, Dudlee White – Sharpley, Keith Chiwara, Boyd Rouse, Takudzwa Chieza, Darrel Makwasha,
Takudzwa Kumadiro, Riaan O’Neill, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Shingirai Katsvere, Martin Mangongo,
Tapiwa Mafura
