‘The Sables 10 jersey is in a healthy position’: Benade happy with Sables flyhalf stocks
- vimbayi makwavarara
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
BY ENOCK MUCHINJO
HARARE – An impressive comeback to international rugby by Lenience Tambwera adds viable fly-half options for Zimbabwe ahead of the Sables’ return to Uganda in July for the defence of their Africa Cup title, says head coach Piet Benade.
32-year-old Tambwera’s clever tactical kicking game was crucial in dictating territory during Zimbabwe’s thumping 70-15 win over neighbours Zambia on Sunday at Harare Sports Club as the Sables began preparations for the Africa Cup in Ugandan capital Kampala.
Tambwera, who hadn’t featured for Zimbabwe over the past few years, also caught the eye with his game management and vision – displaying great maturity on his return to Sables colours.
He makes his comeback when the talismanic Australia-based flyhalf Ian Prior is also sure to be in the mix by the time the Africa Cup comes around in July. Benade reckons the return of Tambwera to the present set-up, as well as the presence of a rising new breed of playmakers in Zimbabwean rugby, boost the Sables’ flyhalf stocks.
“Lenience has worked extremely hard and is deserving of his return to the Sables and Test rugby,” Benade told SportsCast on Monday.
“Having his experience and kicking ability is very important for us. The Sables 10 jersey is in a healthy position at the moment, with a number of strong players getting opportunities and performing very well.”
Tambwera was accurate off the tee for most of the game as Zimbabwe’s try-fest was led by a brace from replacement fullback Ryan Musumhi, who came on for his Sables debut after Taddy Dzandiwandira was injured in the first half.
The other tries were by prop Bornwell Gwinji, captain and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, flanker Brian Nyaude, eighth-man Aiden Burnett as well as two other debutants – lock Nyasha Shiripinda, replacement flanker Vuyani Dh
lomo and substitute 18-year-old scrumhalf Tyrone Gombe.
On top of the flyhalf resources, Benade also spoke highly of the nice blend of experience and youth in the Sables line-up that brushed aside an otherwise gritty Zambian side on Sunday.
Of the youth brigade, particularly outstanding was the hooker Bryan Chiang, who on top of regularly finding his jumpers, got around the field with composure and made timely tackles.
Then there was the outside-centre Dion Khumalo, who picked good lines and carried the ball delightfully throughout the match.
The two, who were Youth Rugby Africa Cup winners with Zimbabwe Under-20s in 2023, have immensely benefited from being around the senior Sables squad over the past year. They were both in Kampala last year when the Sables were crowned African champions for the second time in the tournament’s history.
“Bryan Chiang was on the trip to Zambia and was present in Uganda (all last year), then later toured UAE and Korea for the end-of-year tour,” said Benade.
“Without playing many minutes, he was extremely patient and benefited greatly from the training camps and exposure to mentors like (senior Sables hooker) Simba Mandioma and coaches like (ex-Sringboks assistant coach and Sables consultant) Gert Smal. His performance is not a surprise. Dion has now become a solid local presence in the centres and is learning a lot from seniors like (Kudzi) Mashawi and (Brandon) Mudzekenyedzi. They are good examples of young players getting opportunities to show their talent in these regional Test matches.”
All this, according to Benade, now stand the Sables in good stead in team selection.
“Building depth and competition for places is key to driving standards in general,” he said.
Getting older players who still have the hunger to welcome and mentor younger players helps the group get stronger. The aim will be to have local boys in a rugby environment where they can get experience to challenge our professional players for Sables spots in June-July.”
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