De Souza names his troops
THE Zimbabwe Under-20 rugby coach Shaun De Souza is set to go into this year’s Barthes Trophy without the services of two of his senior players - skipper Shingi Manyarara and loose-head prop Huntley Masterson.
The two have pulled out of the third-tier age-group competition owing to club and school commitments.
They have availed themselves for the World Rugby Junior Trophy should Zimbabwe qualify.
This was the biggest takeaway from De Souza’s 80-men Zimbabwe Under-20 High-Performance squad announcement for the Nedbank Rugby Challenge yesterday.
The Junior Sables have been afforded two slots - a Junior Sables and Developmental team- for the local pre-season club competition and De Souza hopes to use it as preparation for next month’s Barthes Trophy.
“It has been quite an interesting process,” he said.
“The talent identification programme began in earnest back in November, and we have since had the chance to look at every player that came in.
“We had a good look, a good assessment of what we have at our disposal, and feel pretty satisfied with both the squad and talent we have in camp.
“We do, however, have a few players who have communicated that they will not be able to make it for the Barthes Trophy.”
The Barthes Trophy has tentatively been set for April 18-28 in the capital.
Zimbabwe Under-20 High Performance Squad
Shingirai Manyarara, Huntley Masterson, Benoni Nhekairo, Allan Mawunga, Tawanayasha Bwanya, Edward Sigauke, Polite Phiri Brendon, Jameson Kholwani Moyo, Tinashe Mudanga, Kelton Kaseke Cody, Grant Godfrey, Zvinavashe Stanley Muranganwa, Joseph Benning, Tadiwanashe Unganai, Kudakwashe Nyamushaya, Kelvin Kaseke, Tafara Dewa, Tadiwa Chikuriro, Louange Ujenza Mutimawurukundo, Tadiwa Mandimustrira, Tawonga Chingosho, Tanya Takaendisa, Shammah Jackson, Emmanuel Magutakuona, Huntsmann Greaves, Brendon Mudzwiti, Tatenda Runyowa, Joseph Thumba, Tinotenda Rusike, Thabani Ndlovu, Amazing Vheriwa, Tino Matimbira, Darryl Mwenzo, Takudzwa Matsvimbo, Seth -Jesse Kodzanai, Wayne Kunaka, Innocent Dekete, Tapiwa Zhanda, Emmanuel Gabi, Vuyani Ncube, Godwin Phiri, Vimbiso Kasvosve, Cole Musanigwa, Ethan Ferguson, Nyasha Nwarati, Tiamike Mlambo, Dominic Mckechnie, Jeff Muzavazi, O’Neil Joshua Bekker, Tanaka Mupamahadzi, Owen Musumhi, Joe Masunda, Takudzwa Mandiyambira, Philip Chimaka, Tafadzwa Tigere, Rogers Tayengwa, Simbarare Sanyanga, Michael Shaba, Cody Cooper, Ian Mabuto, Nicky Magobera, Mudiwa Hakunavanhu, Elias Chitengwa, Kudzai Waylen Tsvakirai, Tatenda Mpagore, Martel Wolfenden, Kaitano Tembo, Chester Mpofu, Jamie Mathwasa, Brendon Mukarati, Tadiwa Maradzi, Tinevimbo Nyoni, Ethan Tate Msendo, Brandon Gwenzi, Gil Mfema, Victor Muchenge, Sean Tigere, Babongile Ncube, Brendon Mubaiwa