Absent stalwarts to join squad for Nations Cup trip after Sables’ SA engagements

enockmuchinjo
1 day ago
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SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s squad will be reinforced for the World Rugby Nations Cup tour of the United States after the completion of an ongoing training camp in South Africa and the match against South Africa ‘A’ in Port Elizabeth on 20 June.

Zimbabwe this week named a 32-man squad for the camp and game against SA ‘A’, with several star players that helped the Sables qualify for the 2027 World Cup conspicuous by their absence.

Sables head coach Piet Benade on Wednesday explained the omissions, naming the foreign-based players who will bounce back to join the Nations Cup touring party to the United States in July.

“Being outside the international Test window and personal circumstances, it has made those players unavailable for this month,” Benade told SportsCast.

“However, Cleopas Kundiona, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Jason Fraser, Ian Prior and Matt McNab will return to our set-up after the SA camp and game against SA ‘A’.”

Lock Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, meanwhile, isn’t available for both the South Africa trip and the US leg of the Nations Cup, due to unspecified personal reasons.

Benade, however, is looking forward to the South Africa ‘A’ challenge, which is a curtain-raiser for the game between the Springboks and the Barbarians.

“It’s a massive opportunity to grow and test ourselves as individuals and as a group against a world-class team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Benade has welcomed the inclusion of new players in the squad, who are set to intensify competition for places.

Players of Zimbabwean heritage, some of them born outside the country, have raised up their hands for selection and are currently with the Sables in Cape Town.

These are forwards Tijde Vidder, Gary Porter, Dale Lemon and Dan Cooke.

“While we have a lot of consistency in selection, over the last two years, we always look to evolve and improve the group and having these new players certainly does that.”

Prop Farai Mudariki and utility back Martin Mangongo have returned to the fold after a lengthy absence.

SABLES SQUAD FOR SA TOUR

Forwards: Victor Mupunga, Tjde Visser, Jeff Makoni, Simba Mandioma, Liam Larkan, Bryan Chiang, Farai Mudariki, Bornwell Gwinji, Michael Kumbirai, Dale Lemon, Gary Porter, Tino Mavesere, Dan Cooke, Dylan Utete, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Simba Siraha, Aiden Burnett.

Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Keegan Joubert, Tyrone Gombe, Bruce Houston, Brendan Mason, Ed Sigauke, Tatenda Kumubvumbi, Kudzi Mashawi, Dion Khumalo, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Darrel Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Tapiwa Mafura, Martin Mangongo.