Story by ZBC Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Rugby Union has announced the 40-man squad selected for the Zambezi Series, which will see the Sables taking on regional rivals, Zambia and Botswana next month.
The spotlight has been given to local talent, with all selected players based in Zimbabwe and primed to carry the torch for the national team in front of the home crowd.
The campaign kicks off on May 4 when Zimbabwe faces Zambia at the Harare Sports Club, before clashing with Botswana on May 10 in the capital.
In a statement released by the ZRU this Saturday, team manager Takunda Chikofoyo expressed his confidence in the local-based players.
“We took a short break from November last year after the international window and we were back at work in January. You can tell just from the commitment and work ethic that the boys want this more than ever.
“Our locally based players have been working together and some great combinations have formed, we are pretty excited about Zambia and Botswana,” he said.
The team manager also called on the fans to throng the match venues in their numbers.
“The Battle of the Zambezi will not have a dull moment, this is our showcase to local fans, and we thrive off their support,” he added.
The series also will be used as part of preparations, for the Rugby Africa Cup set for Uganda which will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with only the winner booking a direct spot.
Young midfielder, Dion Khumalo, who was part of the Under 20 setup in 2023 has been named one of the vice captains, a testament to ZRU’s commitment to the development pipeline.
