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Sports Reporter
SABLES coach Cyprian “Supa” Mandenge says his side is fortunate to kick-start their Hong Kong Cup of Nations rugby tournament with a date against the hosts tomorrow as they will be missing the services of some of their key players.

With four of the Sables players in South Africa with the Cheetahs for the Africa Cup that is also serving as the 2016 Olympic Games qualifier, the former Harare Sports Club coach feels it is a blessing to open with a date against Hong Kong.

Players that are expected to link up with the Sables for the second XVs game in Hong Kong include Germany-based Manasah Sita, who is making a return to the set-up after an eight-year absence, his team-mate Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, winger Stephan Hunduza and Riaan O’Neill.

Despite the fact that Hong Kong are ranked two places above the Sables (26) on the latest world rankings, Mandenge feels they have the ammunition to devastate the hosts in front of their home crowd before they face Russia and Portugal who are ranked 22 and 28 respectively.

“We are fortunate that we will take on Hong Kong first as we will be missing the services of the other players who are in South Africa with the Cheetahs but that is good for us because that would also test our depth as a team.

“In all fairness that would test our strength or depth because I believe that we have the capacity to come up with three squads as the Sables and I also feel that we are also fortunate to be playing Hong Kong in the first game.

“Them being absent is also a chance for other players to put their hands up and show what they are capable of doing,” said Mandenge

The youthful quartet of Gabriel Spapati, Ngoni Chibuwe, Alva Senderayi and Malvern Maparura were part of the 2013 Under-20 rugby side that finished third at the Junior Africa Cup in South Africa and are set to make their Sables debuts in Hong Kong.

“Our main goal is to go to Hong Kong and win but we also need to look into the future of the game and that is why we have the young players in the squad. But then again some would question the reason I have included older players, some of which had not been part of the set-up for a while.

“The reason is simple because we need to balance the side with youth and experience and give good transition, these are the payers that have put their hands up and were available for selection as some were tied-up with different commitments like educational, work and injuries.

“But with what we have, we hope to build on for the 2019 World Cup and this Hong Kong tournament is our first step in doing so meaning there is all the reason to take it seriously as it also impacts on our ranking.”

Sables Fixtures
Hong Kong v Zimbabwe (tomorrow), Russia v Zimbabwe (November 17), Portugal v Zimbabwe (November 21)

Team
Forwards: Denford Mutamangira (captain), Farai Mudariki, Tatenda Murwira, Brain Makamure, Gabriel Spapate, Royal Mwale, Nico Nyemba, Kapuya, Martin Wolfenden, Jan Ferreira, Biselele Tshamala, Andrew Rose, Alva Senderayi.

Backs: Charles Jiji, Kazembe, Tichafara Makwanya (vice, Stephan Hunduza, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Manasah Sita, Riaan O’Neill, Lungile Tshuma, Tafadzwa Mhende, Malvern Maparura, Ngoni Chibuwe, Gerald Sibanda, Gardner Nechironga

Cheetahs Squad: Jacques Leitao, Boyd Rouse, Njabulo Ndlovu, Biselele Tshamala, Shayne Makombe, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Stephan Hunduza, Graham Kaulback, Lenience Tambwera, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Kilvan Magunje, Riaan O’Neill, Mkululi Ndlela, Takudzwa Francesco, Manasah Sita, Kudakwashe Chiwanza.