Senior Sports Reporter

THE Zimbabwe senior national rugby team, the Sables, go into camp on Tuesday in preparation for an international friendly match against South African franchise side Valke to be played at Harare Sports Club on Friday evening.

However, since the match is not against a full national side, the Zimbabwean team will be called the Goshawks.

The 34-man squad was revealed by the Sables technical team made up of coach Brendon Dawson, assistant coach Cyprian Mandenge and team manager Losson Mtongwiza. The squad would be trimmed down to 26 players for the match against the Valke, which would be played under floodlights.

Among those called is Durban-based former Zimbabwe Under-20 loose forward Biselele Tshamala, prop Denford Mutangamira who has just completed his first season with Scottish club Ayr and winger Wesley Mbanje who is based in South Africa.

Coach Dawson will use the match to identify his squad for the upcoming international season which will see the Sables participate in the Confederation of African Rugby Africa Cup group 1A and also play against Kenya and Uganda on a home and away basis in the Victoria Cup which is a tri-nations tournament which the Sables won last year in their second year of participation.

The South Africans will arrive in Zimbabwe by road on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe Goshawks squad

Forwards: Jakov Jakov, Denford Mutangamira, Tinashe David Bopoto, Ruramai Kudenga, Devon Esbach, Simba Mandiwoma, Fortune Chipendu, Costa Dinha, Shingirai Mpofu, Jacques Leitao, Norman Mukondiwa, Jubille Musona, Julius Chifokoyo, Jonathan Goosen, Pieter Joubert, Jan Farreira

Biselele Tshamala, Richard Van Breda, Witness Mandizha, Samson Makuku, Kudakwashe Kambasha.

Backline: Scotty Jones, Charles Jiji, Tichafara Makwanya, Daniel Hondo, Cleopas Makotose, Danny Robertson, Lloyd Machanjaira, Kuda Chiwanza, Paul Staak, Linience Tambwer, Wesley Mbanje, Tangai Nemadire, Gavin Nyawata.