The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE intensify their preparations for next month’s Rugby Africa Cup to be held in France with a friendly match against Netherlands to be played at the Rugby Stadium Amsterdam on Saturday 25 June.
It will be a good test for the Sables as Netherlands are ranked 26th in the world while Zimbabwe are down at number 34.
The two teams were initially scheduled to meet in November 2020, but were forced to shelve the plans due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ngoni Chibuwe
At the end of the Currie Cup First Division campaign, where Zimbabwe played at the Goshawks, Sables coach Brendan Dawson named the squad that will attempt to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup in France. The Sables first flew from South Africa to France then found their way to Amsterdam last Friday.
Dawson is still waiting for backline players, Ngoni Chibuwe, Martin Mangongo and Tapiwa Mafura to join camp. Mafura started on the wing for the Airlink Pumas when they faced the Toyota Cheetahs in a Carling Currie Cup semifinal fixture at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein yesterday and is expected to join the Sables in the coming days.
Tapiwa Mafura
Zimbabwe Sables squad: Tyran Fagan, Victor Mupunga, Matthew Mandioma, Liam Larkan, Cleopas Kundiona, Bornwell Gwinji, Sean Beevor, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Godwin Mangenje, Kelvin Kanenungo, Johan Du Preez, Nyasha Tarusenga, Jason Fraser, Hilton Mudariki, Kyle Galloway, Takudzwa Musingwini, Takudzwa Chieza, Riaan O’Neill, Marcus Nel, Tapiwa Mafura, Matthew McNab, Shingirai Katsvere, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Brendon Marume, Shayne Makombe, Ngoni Chibuwe, Aiden Burnett, Royal Mwale, Martin Mangongo, Gabriel Sipapate
Non-travelling reserves: George Saungweme, Carlos Matematema, Tawanda Matipano
Coach: Brendan Dawson
Assistant coach: Pieter Benade
Assistant coach: Graham Knoop
Assistant coach: Ashley Wells
Team manager: Jason Maritz
Physiotherapist: Alice Randall
Team doctor: Tapfuma Parirenyatwa
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