Raymond Jaravaza Sports Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) has released a 23-member squad for the 2016 Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week scheduled for July 4-8 in Paarl just outside Cape Town in South Africa. Zimbabwe kick-off their campaign against Border CD, a team based in East London, at the Paarl Gymnasium on July 4. The Grant Khomo Week is a schoolboys’ rugby tournament for Under-16 players named after celebrated South African black rugby player Grant Khomo, who later became president of the then South African African Rugby Board (SAARB).

Khomo is credited with putting to rest the myth that only white players could excel at rugby. Together with his colleagues, Khomo attempted to form a non-racial rugby board in South Africa, but they were constantly stifled by apartheid laws.

Despite all odds, he and his team built a strong culture of quality rugby among black players, using schools as nurseries. The Zimbabwe schoolboys will hold a training camp in Harare before leaving for South Africa.

“We’ve three age groups that are travelling to South Africa for different rugby festivals and because of limited resources, all teams will assemble for training camps a few days before leaving for their respective tournaments,” said ZRU president Nyararai Sibanda.

Besides the Under-16s, Zimbabwe is also sending an Under-18 team to Durban for the Coca-Cola Craven Week scheduled for July 11-16. Zimbabwe’s Under-18s play their first game against Griquas Country Districts on July 11 at Kearsney College just outside Durban. The national Under-13 team will compete in the Coca-Cola Craven Week in Paarl, with their first match of the tournament against Griquas on July 4.

Under 16-team:
Tadiwanashe Muendesi (Watershed), Tanaka Mpofu (St John’s College), Tadiwanashe Maunze (St George’s), Adrian Zivanai (St George’s), Billy Mapfumo (Peterhouse), Faruk Landan (Heritage),Trent Adams (Lomagundi), Thokozisi Mrewa (Midlands Christian College), Takudzwa Mpariwa (Eaglesvale), Milton Kachecha (Lomagundi), Christopher Daffield (St George’s), Ronald Mirimi (Peterhouse), Michael Mhute (Prince Edward), Tinarwo Mugoni (Churchill), Tabonga Ngonyamo (Peterhouse), Tinashe Hombiro (Prince Edward), Patrick Chivanga (Kyle), Zvikomborero Mudhara(Lomagundi), Wilbert Munda (St John’s College), Leon Madzore (Falcon College), Takunda Mkaratigwa (St George’s), Lameck Vheriwa (Peterhouse), Brendon Muchopa (Kyle)

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