The Zimbabwe Rugby Union is set to announce the final senior men’s rugby team that will compete in the Rugby Africa Cup on Tuesday afternoon.
The squad will feature 28 players, predominantly locally based, after logistical challenges prevented the inclusion of all foreign-based players ahead of the tournament, which begins on Saturday hosted in Uganda.
In a significant boost for the Sables, South African-based Zimbabwean professional rugby players Tinotenda Masevere and Tapiwa Mafura have joined the camp.
The duo conducted their first training session with the team on Monday at Old Hararians Sports Club, ahead of the team’s departure on Wednesday.
Masevere, who currently plays for The Sharks in South Africa, and fullback Mafura, who features for the Lions, bring valuable experience to the squad.
However, team coach Piet Benade cited several reasons that hindered the inclusion of other key foreign-based players, including Vernon Matongo, Shingirai Manyarara, Shingirai Katsvere, Carl Kawodza, Farai Mudariki, and Mathew Mcnab.
Zimbabwe will kick off the tournament with a match against the host nation, Uganda.
A win will secure their place in the semi-finals. The Rugby Africa Cup features eight teams: Namibia, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Senegal, Algeria, Zimbabwe, and hosts Uganda.
