ZIMBABWE national Men’s Fifteens rugby team gets their Dubai tour campaign tour rolling against the United Arab Emirates in a test match this evening with four players poised to make their debut.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 1730 hours at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
According to the Sables playing XV squad released by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union yesterday, Jovan Bekker and Munashe Mhere start in this evening’s encounter.
Two other uncapped at the international level for Zimbabwe, Bryan Chiang and former Wallabies star Kyle Godwin may get a feel of the action if they are to be introduced later in the game as impact players.
Sables captain Hilton Mudariki will lead his charges at scrum-half, Ian Prior returns on fly-half while Tedius Hwata makes a welcome return to the team at full-back.
Vice-captain Kudzai Mashawi will start in the inside centre.
“I am happy to be back in the team; it is a different set-up and more dynamic, and the boys have levelled up since the Africa Cup,” Hwata said of his return.
“It is an important moment for me to wear the stripes again and I want to express myself tomorrow (today).”
Sables squad:
(1) Jovan Bekker, (2) Simbarashe Mandioma, (3) Munashe Mhere, (4) David Makamba, (5) Simbarashe Siraha, (6) Dylan Utete, (7) Godfrey Muzanargwo, (8) Tinotenda Mavesere, (9) Hilton Mudariki (captain), (10) Ian Prior, (11) Edward Sigauke, (12) Kudzai Mashawi (vice-captain), (13) Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, (14) Trevor Gurwe, (15) Tadius Hwata
Impact players
(16) Bryan Chiang, (17) Tyran Fagan, (18) Bornwekk Gwinji, (19) Nyasha Tarusenga, (20) Kelvin Kanenungo, (21) Aiden Burnett, (22) Keegan Joubert, (23) Kyle Godwin