BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – After dominating Africa for the past two years, Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby coach Shaun De Souza says his team has now gone back to the basics to fine-tune for yet another assault as the Young Sables prepare to defend their continental title in Harare in April.
Zimbabwe were crowned African champions at this level in 2022 and 2023, both in Kenya. Now, in preparation to go three times in a row, De Souza has named a large training squad in search of combinations ahead of the Harare showpiece.
“In addition to locally-based players, we have some UK-based guys, US-based guys, and South Africa (based) boys,” De Souza told SportsCast. “We have an extended list, reason being we are going back to default settings. We had a three-year plan, and it worked well for us. So I’m doing the same for this group and I’ve got 19-year-olds, 20-year-olds, and 18-year-olds.”
The Old Hararians and Sables legend added that his huge squad will be split into two for the forthcoming Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup, a local junior competition. The two sides will be joined in the tournament by local clubs.
“We are doing this for continuity, for players to get used to our system, our ethos, how we do things at Under-20,” commented De Souza.
“Just keeping the conveyor belt running, keeping the player pool depth in place. Just making sure we’ve all positions covered, and building a foundation with the youngsters coming in… I’m excited about the calibre of the players. It’s now time for the real work. We are just working on the fundamentals. Now we have to start working on tactics, strategies, game sense and all that. This is where the real work begins.”
The winner of this year’s African competition will play in the World Rugby Under-20 Trophy later in the year, as usual, and De Souza has earmarked highly-gifted back-rower Shingi Manyarara to captain Zimbabwe in that global second tier competition. Manyarara teams up with Springboks two-time World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi at French Top 14 side Racing 92.
ZIMBABWE UNDER-20 TRAINING SQUAD
Shingi Manyarara, Allen Mawunga, Polite Phiri, Tinashe Mudanga, Godfrey Zvinavashe, Tadiwanashe Unganai, Tafara Dewa, Tadiwa Mandimutsira, Shammah Jackson, Brendon Mudzwiti, Tinotenda Rusike, Tino Matimbira, Seth-Jesse Kodzanai, Tapiwa Zhanda, Godwin Phiri, Ethan Ferguson, Dominic Mckechnie, Tanaka Mupahadzi, Takudzwa Mandiyambira, Rogers Tayengwa, Cody Cooper, Mudiwa Hakunavanhu, Tatenda Mpagore, Chester Mpofu, Tadiwa Maradzi, Brandon Gwenzi, Sean Tigere, Cristiano Dube, Huntley Masterson, Tawananyasha Bwanya, Brendon Jameson, Kelton Kaseke, Stan Muranganwa, Kudakwashe Nyamushaya, Tadiwa Chikuriro, Tawonga Chingosho, Emmanuel Magutakuona, Tatenda Runyowa, Thabani Ndlovu, Darryl Mwenzo, Wayne Kunaka, Emmanuel Gabi, Vimbiso Kasvosve, Nyasha Ngwarati, Jeff Muzavazi, Owen Musumhi, Philip Chimaka, Simbarashe Sanyanga, Ian Mabuto, Elias Chitengwa, Martel Wolfenden, Jamie Mathwasa, Tinevimbo Nyoni, Gil Mfema, Babongile Ncube, Damien Moyo, Benoni Nhekairo, Edward Sigauke, Kholwani Moyo, Cody Grant, Joseph Benning, Kelvin Kaseke, Louange Ujenza Mutimawurukundo, Tanya Takaendesa, Huntsmann Greaves, Joseph Thumba, Amazing Vheriwa, Takudzwa Matsvimbo, Innocent Dekete, Vuyani Ncube, Cole Musanigwa, Tiamike Mlambo, O’Neil Bekker, Joe Masunda, Tafadzwa Tigere, Michael Shaba, Nicky Magobera, Kudzai Waylen Tsvakirai, Kaitano Tembo, Brendon Mukarati, Ethan Tate Msendo, Victor Muchenje, Brendon Mubaiwa.
