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Young Sables captain Thabani Munjeni (left) with national Under-19 team manager Blessing Chiutare (centre) and Farai Mudariki the vice-captain

Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union yesterday announced a 23-member national Under-19 squad that will compete for Africa’s sole slot at next year’s IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy. The Young Sables are among the four countries together with Kenya, Namibia and Tunisia that will battle it out at a Confederation of African Rugby Union tournament in Namibia that starts on Wednesday and ends on Saturday.
The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy is set for Portugal next year.

Zimbabwe who qualified for three consecutive IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy tournaments in 2010 (Russia), 2011 (Georgia) and 2012 (US) only to miss the last two editions held in Chile (2013) and this year’s tournament held in Hong Kong in April this year will be hoping to get Africa’s ticket.

With the senior national team having lost their bid to make it for the IRB World Cup in England next year, the Young Sables carry the country’s hope.
According to the draw, Zimbabwe will kick off their campaign at Namibia’s Hage Geigngob Stadium on Wednesday afternoon against Kenya, with the host nation locking horns with Tunisia later on.

The winners of these two matches will advance to Saturday’s final while the losers will battle it out to avoid relegation to Pool B for 2015. The 3rd place playoff will be the final’s curtain raiser.

“The team has been preparing well and everyone is raring to go. The coaches are happy with the boys’ progress and everyone is confident of making the country proud and return to international stage.

“ZRU takes junior development seriously as that is where the future of the sport in the country lies and as such, we wish the best to our Young Sables,” said Godfrey Koti, the ZRU spokesman.

SQUAD: Thabani Munjeni (captain), Farai Mudariki (vice-captain), Hugo de LaFargue (vice-captain), Gabriel Sipapate, Kudakwashe Chipunza, Thulani Dhliwayo, Tanaka Zimuto, Kudakwashe Nhira, Brian Nyaude, Newton Tanyanyiwa, Ivan Bawden, Shephard Mhembere, Dlelo Velempini, Tinashe Gwisai, Sean Mwayera, Nyasha Chinorwadza, Tafadzwa Mukonyora, Courtney Archer, Shane Snater, Tawanda Ngosi, Sean Coles, Jabulani Mutukwa, Godknows Mawara.