BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe rugby coach Piet Benade isn’t downplaying the competition of the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, saying the two lower-ranked nations will test the Sables’ scrums and mauls on their end-of-year tour.
The Sables will take on the UAE on Tuesday evening in Dubai before flying out to East Asia for a historic first Test against Korea in Seoul on 16 November.
“We are trying to broaden our squad, just broaden the depth,” Benade said before the team’s departure on Saturday.
“We have a very strong UAE team and I think they just pipped the South Koreans in the Asia Cup and they themselves reached the final, so we would be in for a scrumming and mauling battle which will help us prepare for what’s coming up in the Africa Cup (in 2025), which will double up as the World Cup qualifier.”
Reigning African champions Zimbabwe will return to the continental showpiece in Uganda next year as one of the heaviest favourites to clinch the single direct qualification slot for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
Zimbabwe, the first African country to play in the Rugby World Cup, are making concerted efforts to return to the sport’s biggest stage for the first time since 1991, beefing up their squad significantly.
Harare-born former centre Kyle Godwin, who played once for Australia in 2016, is part of the Sables’ 27-man touring party to the Middle East and South Korea.
The 32-year-old Godwin is also joined by ex-Australia youth international Ian Prior, a halfback who was outstanding when Zimbabwe won the Africa Cup title in Kampala in July, as well as other exciting newcomers like the prop Munashe Mhere of Pumas in South Africa.
ZIMBABWE TOURING SQUAD
Forwards: Dylan Utete, Kelvin Kanenungo, Bornwell Gwinji, Munashe Mhere, Brian Makamure, Simba Siraha, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Nyasha Tarusenga, Tyran Fagan, Bryan Chiang, Kudakwashe Tarusenga, David Makamba, Tino Mavesere, Simba Mandioma, Jovan Bekker, Aiden Burnett.
Backs: Hilton Mudariki (captain), Dion Khumalo, Tadius Hwata, Kyle Godwin, Kudzai Mashawi, Brendan Marume, Trevor Gurwe, Ian Prior, Keegan Joubert, Brendon Mudzekenyedzi, Edward Sigauke.
