Zim kicks-off fifteens rugby Regal Hostel cup

ZIMBABWE kick-off their fifteens rugby Regal Hotels Cup of Nations againstagains Russia at King Park Stadium in Hong Kong today. The match kicks off at 11AM Zimbabwean time. Sables coach CypriaCyprian Mandenge will be looking for a better performance in a competition they will also face hosts Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea. In 2015, Zimbabwe lost all three matches they played against Russia, Hong Kong and Portugal to finish with zero points. Yesterday, the SableSables technical team led by Mandenge announced a 23-man squad for the clash against Russia. Skipper Denford MuMutamangira will lead the team at loosehead while Brian Makamure will scrum down at tighthead,tigh with Matthew Mandioma occupyingoccupyin the hooker position to complete the frontfro row. France-Frbased Michael Passaportis and Witness Mandizha, who plays in South Africa, will lock down the scrumsc in the second row.

Biselele Tshamala at blindside flank, Andrew Rose on the open side and eighth man Njabulo Ndlovu make up the loose trio.

Kuziwakwashe Kazembe is set to earn his first Sables cap at scrumhalf where he makes up the halfback pairing with Lenience Tambwera at flyhalf.

Stephan Hunduza and Tafadzwa Chitokwindo have been selected as the two wings. Riaan O’Neil is at first centre, Kudzai Mashawi at outside centre, while United States of America-based Lungile Tshuma is the last man in defence at fullback.

After playing Russia, Zimbabwe take on Hong Kong on Tuesday before rounding off their participation in the competition against Papua New Guinea next Saturday.