Source: Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) |

Acid Test for Zimbabwe Rugby Academy as they face Border Bulldogs

The spirited Zimbabweans have announced their squad of 22 players who will kick things off on Sunday

Being our first game it is going to be a lot of teething problems and teething issues that might come out – which we have to iron out and get right

HARARE, Zimbabwe, April 27, 2019/APO Group/ --

It will be a tough test for the Zimbabwe Rugby Academy when they face the Border Bulldogs on Sunday (April 28) at 1430hrs in the debut appearance at the SuperSport Rugby Challenge at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London.

The spirited Zimbabweans have announced their squad of 22 players who will kick things off on Sunday.

Head Coach Brendon Dawson believes it will be a trying quest, one which his charges are ready to take on.

“Being our first game it is going to be a lot of teething problems and teething issues that might come out – which we have to iron out and get right. We have only been together for five days and this is going to be a hard one and guys have come from all over the world and parts of Africa to come into camp.

“Preparations have been a bit tight and we have got to understand that we can’t kill the guys who are playing, so time on the paddock has been spent really well and we have been trying to get patterns and everything together.

“Yes it is going to be tough and the guys are really excited to get out there to show their flare and skills in there,” said Dawson.

The Border Bulldogs are known to play a running game and are renowned for their ball handling skills, Dawson says there are plans to counter that.

“We have got our defence pattern that we are going to stick to and we want to deprive them of the ball. We want to be in control of the ball movement through our defence – we want to keep the ball when we have it and when they have it we want to regain the ball as quickly as possible.

Dawson and his technical team have made a few positional changes with the likes of Kudakwashe Chiwanza playing at full-back instead of the usual wing position and Shingirai Katsvere moved to centre from his usual full-back position.

Speaking on the many changes and different combinations made in the starting 15, Dawson says some of his decisions are derived from his observation of these players as Sevens players with the Zambezi Cheetahs.

“Both these players are from the Sevens circuit and Kudakwashe Chiwanza is a hell of an exciting rugby player he loves a bit of space and loves a bit of room on the outside, he (Chiwanza) has incredible pace and skill.

 “I also want us to the run the ball a bit quicker and be able to be confident to run in positions where people do not expect us to. Chiwanza bring that ball with his skills will be good for us and put us back on the front foot. Shingirai Katsvere is a great player, he has put on some size and he is in good condition as one of our stars in sevens.

“Playing him (Katsvere) as our outside centre is a real blessing because he has good defence and great in attack – he has got good footwork so he can get on the outside and I am very confident that he will be able to do that for us,” said Dawson.

The squad:

Forwards: 1. Wade Petzer  2. Royal Mwale 3. Cleopas Kundiona 4. Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa 5. Jan Ferreira 6. Jordon Coombes 7. Brian Nyaude 8. Aiden Burnett 9. Kuzi Kazembe

Backs: 10. Brendon Mandivenga 11. Matthew McNab 12. Riaan O’Neil 13. Shingirai Katsvere 14. Takudzwa Kumadiro 15. Kudakwashe Chiwanza

Reserves: Tinashe Chaza, Tyron Fagan, Godwin Mangenje, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Kudzai Mashawi

Zimbabwe Rugby Academy Player profiles

Full name: Matthew David Mcnab 

Nickname: Maccers 

Positions: wing outside center

Date of birth: 08/06/1998

Height: 186cm

Weight: 96kg

Current club: Hartpury RFC

Joined: September 2018

Previous clubs: OGs 

University: Hartpury University 

High school attended: falcon college

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe Sables, Bristol bears 

Awards won: NA

Cups won: bucs university league in the U.K.

Major tournaments played in: Africa gold cup, all age groups craven weeks, premiership Shield in the U.K.

Full Name: Hilton Mudariki 

Nickname: Hilts/ H

Position/s: Scrumhalf

Date of birth: 08/04/92

Place of birth: Harare

Height: 173cm

Weight: 83 legs

Current Club and Season joined: Jersey Reds RFC 2018/19

University or Academies attended Include year: University of Johannesburg (2015-2017)

High School Attended: Michaelhouse 

Other teams played for : Cheetahs, WP u19, Zimbabwe Sables

Cups won: Africa Cup 7s 

Major tournaments played in: Championship UK, World 7s Series (Hong Kong, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth) (World Cup Qualifiers 2015, 2018)

Full Name: Biselele Tshilumba Tshamala

Nickname: Bie

Position/s: backrow

Date of birth: 26/11/1990

Place of birth: Hwange

Height: 1.91m

Weight: 97kg 

Current Club and Season joined: Mat'land Warriors 2019

Previous Clubs: Varsity College RFC, College Rovers RFC

University or Academies attended Include year: N/A

High School Attended: Plumtree School 2004-2009

Other teams played for: Sharks Amateur XV 2014 - 2016, Sharks 7s, Zimbabwe Sables, Zimbabwe Cheetahs

Awards won (Name all): Murray Cup player of the year 2014, Varsity College player of the year 2014& 2016

Cups won (name all): KZN League & Murray Cup Knockouts 2017/2018, Africa Cup7s

Major tournaments played in: WORLD RUGBY 7S WORLD CUP 2018, JWRT 2010, 7s World Rugby Series Africa Cup 7s

Full Name: Tatendaishe mujawo

Nickname: Mujee 

Position: Outside back

Date of Birth: 14/03/98

Height: 172cm

Weight: 83 kg 

Current club:University of johannesburg

Previous teams: Lions 19 champion, lions u21 champion,  SA schools,  uj varsity cup 2018 /2019 .

Full name: Takudzwa James Chieza

Nickname: Bulldozer /Chieza 

Positions: center

Date of birth: 16/05/1993

Height: 171cm

Weight: 92kg

Current club: Hamiltons  RFC

Joined: September 2019

Previous clubs: OGs 

University: Varsity college /Sharks academy 

High school attended:Prince Edward /Kyle College 

Other teams played for:Sharks u19 ,Juniour World trophy2012/Durban Harlowqueens/Varsity college/Old Harrariens 

Cups won: Lion laga championship ,kwese 7s champions 

Major tournaments played in: Currie Cup U19 ,juniour world trophy

Full Name: Jeremiah Jaravaza 

Nickname: Jerry 

Position/s: 10/9

Date of birth:05/03/1998

Place of birth:Harare 

Height: 169cm

Weight: 78kgs

Current Club and Season joined: Old Georgians RFC 2017

High School Attended: Glenwood High School 2016

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe U20s, Zimbabwe Goshawks 7s

Major tournaments played in: Africa Gold Cup, U20 Barthes Cup

Full Name: Muchineripi Godwin  Mangenje

Nickname:G

Position/s: lock /flank

Date of birth: 30/ 12 /96

Place of birth:Mutare/Zimbabwe 

Height:6.4 ft

Weight:104 kgs 

Current Club and Season joined:Belhar RFC 2019

Previous Clubs:St Claude federal 3  (France)2017 , Dijon federal 1 (France) 2018

Academies attended : Western Province rugby Academy 2017

Attended:Prince Edward School

Other teams played for: Western Province U21 

Major tournaments played in:Currie cup U19 Limpopo Blue Bulls

Full Name: Tabonga Ngonyamo

Nickname: Tabz 

Position/s: 10/12

Date of birth: 28/03/2000

Place of birth: Mutare

Height: 173cm

Weight: 79kgs

Current Club and Season joined: n/a

High School Attended: Peterhouse

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe U18s, Zimbabwe U20s, Zambezi Steelers 7s, Zambezi Steelers 

Major tournaments played in: World Schools Cup

Full Name: Riaan O’Neill

Nickname: Reezy / Rizzla 

Position/s: Centre 

Date of birth: 24/05/1994

Place of birth: Harare

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 82kg

Current Club and Season joined:False Bay RFC 2016

Previous Clubs: College Rovers

University or Academies attended Include year: Varsity College 2013

High School Attended: Wynberg Boys’ High School 

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs): Cheetahs, Sharks u19/21, Zimbabwe Sables

Awards won (Name all): / 

Cups won (name all): SA National club Champs (Gold cup), Cape Town Club League 

Major tournaments played in: Rugby 7s World Cup, 7s World Series, Olympic Repecharge, Rugby World Cup qualifiers + Repecharge

NAME: SHINGIRAI B KATSVERE

DOB: 10/05/ 1997

HEIGHT:180CM

WEIGHT: 90KG

POSITIONS: FULLBACK /OUTSIDE & INSIDE CENTRE

School: Prince Edward boys high school (zimbabwe)

Currently contacted to: ZIMBABWE 7s & ZIMBABWE 15s

PLAYING CAREER: National team 15s caps: 5, National team 7s caps :15 2012, played for Zimbabwe under 16 seven aside team.

2013: played for Harare province under 17 fifteen aside team.

2014: played for Harare province under 18 fifteen aside, played for Zimbabwe under 18 seven aside team (bronze medal), Awarded for a rugby colors at the above school name.

2015: played for Harare province under 18 fifteen aside, played for Zimbabwe under 18 craven week side, played for Zimbabwe under 20 fifteen aside, Re awarded for the rugby colors at school.

2016: played for Zimbabwe under 20 JUNIOR WORLD RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS (In 

Zimbabwe), played South Africa gold cup league for Old Georgians rfc.

2017: played South Africa gold cup league for old Georgians rfc, Captained the under 20 Zimbabwe team for junior world cup qualifier

2018: Played Zimbabwe men’s 15s, played Zimbabwe men's 7s, played HSBC world's series 7s in Dubai & Cape town

2019: Kwese 7s Africa cup and Hong Kong sevens

Full Name: Keith Murray

Nickname: Beefy

Position/s: Hooker

Date of birth:25/02/1987

Place of birth:Harare 

Height: 174cm

Weight: 104KG

Current Club and Season joined: Old Georgians 2013

High School Attended: Falcon College. 

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe Sables, Golden Lions (Sa) Roodepoort Rfc (Sa), Hutt Old Boys Marist Wellington (NZ), Wellington U21, Hurricanes U20 select, Wairarapa Bush (NZ) 

Major tournaments played in: Hurricanes U20 regionals, Wellington Senior Club, Vodacom Cup, Saru Gold Cup, Africa Cup.

Full Name: Tyran Edgar Fagan

Nickname: Ty

Position/s: Prop

Date of birth: 24/05/1992

Place of birth: Harare

Height: 184cm

Weight: 112kg

Current Club and Season joined: Vereeniging rugby club 2019

Previous Clubs: Harlequins, Varsity college, Leipzig rugby club, Albury Steamers and Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby club 

University or Academies attended Include year: Sharks Academy 2011-2013

High School Attended: Hudson park high school 

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs): Sharks Amateur x 2012

Awards won (Name all): Kirkby Lonsdale rugby club players player 

Major tournaments played in: JWRT 2012

Full Name:Tinashe Chaza 

Nickname:Razz / Issues 

Position/s:hooker 

Date of birth:27/08/98

Place of birth:Harare Zimbabwe

Height:1.68m

Weight: 110kg

High school attended :Prince Edward 

Current Club and Season joined: Tygerberg RFC joined 2019

Previous Clubs:Villagers , African Pacific Dragons (10s)

University or Academies attended Include year:

High School Attended:Western province Academy

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs):  .Zim rugby (u17,18,20)

Awards won (Name all):Forward of the year 

Cups won (name all):

Major tournaments played in:World Rugby 10s Mauritius

Full Name:George Piet

Nickname: Saungweme 

Position/s: blindside flank, Open side flank, 8th man, Lock

Date of birth: 05/06/93

Place of birth: walvis bay

Height:1.95m

Weight:105kg

Current Club and Season joined: old Georgians (2014-current)

Previous Clubs:villagers(Cape Town)(2018)

CRAT a Coruna(Spain)(2017-current)

Uwc(varsity cup)(2014-17)

Uct(varsity cup,young guns)(2013)

Harlequins(Durban)2011-13)

University or Academies attended Include year:sharks academy(2012)

University of Cape Town (2013)

University of the western Cape (2017)

Universidad de coruña(currently)

High School Attended:DHS(2010)

Other teams played for : sharks u19, Galicia 7s and 15s, Zimbabwe goshawks 7s and 15s, Zimbabwe sables and Zambezi Steelers 7s

Awards won: harlequins player of the 2013

Honors sport award 2015(Uwc)

Honors sport award 2016(Uwc)

Division de honor b player of the month(x2)

Cups won (name all): varsity shield (2017)

Major tournaments played in: Africa cup,

Devision de honor and Curry Cup

Full Name: Brendon Fungai Mandivenga

Nickname: Mandi

Position/s: 10/12/15

Date of birth: 12/01/1995

Place of birth: Harare

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 95kgs

Current Club and Season joined: Harare Sports Club 2018/19

Previous Clubs: Loughborough Students, Leicester Tigers Academy

University or Academies attended Include year: Loughborough University 

High School Attended: Peterhouse 

Other teams played for (Leicester Tigers, Zimbabwe 7s)

Major tournaments played in: HSBC 7s Hong Kong leg

Full Name: Sanele Nkosana Sibanda 

Nickname: Smyly / Sibz 

Position: Lock 

Height: 1.95cm

Weight: 114kgs

Current Club and season joined : Hull rufc 2019

Previous clubs : Old Miltonians, Matabeleland Busters , Durban Harlequins, College Rovers (SA)

Universities or Academies : University of Hull 

High school: Milton High School( 03)and Plumtree -(04- 08)

Other teams played for: Matabeleland u19 and u21, KZN Daikers, Sharks XV ( amateur)&Zimbabwe Sables 

Awards won: Forward of the year ( Harlequins) 

Cups won: MoorCup, Murray Cup & Africa Cup 

Major Tournaments: Rugby World Cup qualifiers (2015), SARU Gold Cup &Africa Cup

Full Name: Brandon Joshua Sweet

Nickname: Brando/Sweets

Position/s: Prop

Date of birth: 19.12.1995

Place of birth: Cape Town

Height: 183cm

Weight: 105kg

Current Club and Season joined: NTK RFC (2016)

Previous Clubs: False Bay(2015), Dorking (2017/2018) Clube de Rugby Arcos de Valdevez (2018/19)

University or Academies attended Include year: Varsity college (current)

Western Province Rugby academy (2015/2016)

High School Attended: SACS 

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs): Maccabi South Africa

Major tournaments played in: Maccabi Games(2013&2017), Portugal cup 2018/19

Full name: Godfrey Muzanargwo 

Nickname: Goddy

Positions: flanker /8th man

Date of birth: 13/11/98

Height: 193cm

Weight: 102kg

Current club: Mat’Land Warriors RFC

Joined: November 2018

Previous clubs: Old Hararians 

High school attended:Prince Edward 

Other teams played for:Zimbabwe 7s Cheetahs Zimbabwe u19 ,Young sables /Old Hararians 

Major tournaments played in: Hong Kong 7s ,Bathes u20 ,world trophy qualifier,Kwese 7s

Full Name: Ernest Mudzengerere 

Nickname: tsongy

Position/s: 9

Date of birth:12/05/1997

Place of birth:Mutoko 

Height: 169cm

Weight: 78kgs

Current Club and Season joined: Old hararians RFC 2016

High School Attended: Prince Edward High School 2015

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe U20s, 

Major tournaments played in: Africa Gold Cup, U20 world trophy

Full Name: Aiden John Burnett 

Nickname: Bunye 

Position/s: 8th man 

Date of birth:06/08/97

Place of birth: Harare 

Height:190cm 

Weight:104 kgs 

Current Club and Season joined:Hartpury RFC

University or Academies attended Include year:Hartpury university 

High School Attended:St Johns College (SJC baby) 

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs):Gloucester A league

Awards won (Name all):Sportsman of the year at St Johns 

Cups won (name all): BUCS Championship #twickers 

Major tournaments played in:Junior world Trophy

Full Name: Kudzai Mashawi

Nickname: Gudo

Position: Centre

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 88kgs

Current Club and season joined : Harare Sports Club 2013

Previous clubs : UKZN Howard College,Jaguars RFC

Universities or Academies : Sharks Academy 2013

High school: Churchill Boys High School( 2008-2012)

Other teams played: Zim U20,Zim 15s,Zim 7s, KZN Wilderbiest, Sharks Club XV ( amateur)

Major Tournaments: HSBC World Series Dubai/Capetown 2018 ,Africa Gold Cup

Full Name: Jan Ferreira 

Nickname: Bobjan, Yeti

Position/s: Lock, Blindside Flank

Date of birth: 11/01/1988

Place of birth: Harare

Height: 1.97m

Weight: 120kg

Current Club and Season joined: False Bay since January 2017

Previous Clubs: Peterborough Lions UK, Busters, Aparejadores Spain, Pirates, Durban Collegians

University or Academies attended Include year: Midlands Christian Teachers College 2013, Damelin 2011-2013

High School Attended: Falcon College, Lomagundi College

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs): Sables, Goshawk 7s, Presidents XV.

Awards won (Name all): Most attacking player 2007

Cups won (name all): Africa Cup, Murray Cup, Victoria Cup.

Major tournaments played in: Windhoek Tri-Nations, Castle 7s, Middelburg 7s, Rustenburg 7s, World Cup Qualifiers, Repechage Playoffs, Emirates Cup of Nations, Hong Kong Nations Cup, Africa Cup, Gold Cup, Murray Cup, Victoria Cup, Super League A, KZN Premier League, Predator League.

Full Name: Blithe T Mavesere

Nickname: Drilller

Position/s: flanker

Date of birth: 17/10/1998

Place of birth: kadoma/Zimbabwe 

Height: 1.89

Weight: 88kgs

Current Club and Season joined: Harare Sports club /joined 2018.

Previous Clubs: Pitbulls RFC U21

University or Academies attended Include year: n/a

High School Attended: Churchill Boys School Zimbabwe 2012-2017

Other teams played for (e.g Cheetahs):Goshawks/ Zim A/ ZimU20/

Awards won (Name all):Pitbulls U21 MVP 2017, Pitbulls U21 MVP & Best forward 2018, Harare Sports Club A league Best forward & Player of the year 2018, Zimbabwe National Exide Sevens 2018 Player of the tournament. 

Cups won (name all): 2017, 2018, 2019 U21 champions with Pitbulls as Captain, Zimbabwe A league 2018 Champions with Harare Sports club.

Major tournaments played in: U20 Bathes trophy 2018. Zambia invitational Kwese Sevens 2018. Zimbabwe international kwese sevens 2019.

Full Name: Royal Mwale 

Nickname: Roger 

Position: Hooker 

Height: 176cm

Weight: 106kgs

Current Club: benfica rugby club (Portugal)

Previous clubs : wits university,durban collegians,college rovers rugby club,false bay rugby club,almeria rugby club(Spain)

High school: falcon college 

Provincial and international colors : sharks club XV,zim u/21,sables

Cups won: MoorCup, Murray Cup

Full name: Cleopas J.Z Kundiona

Nickname: cloppy/wona

Positions: tighthead prop 

Date of birth: 15/12/98

Height: 183cm

Weight: 124kg

Current club: Raiders rugby club 

Joined: March2019

Previous clubs: Harare SPORTS club 

High school attended:Falcon College

Other teams played for:Zimbabwe u18s Zimbabwe u20,Zim mens sables /

Major tournaments played in: Bathes u20 ,Africa gold cup

Full Name: Njabulo Ndlovu

Nickname: Njabbz

Position/s: 8th man

Date of birth: 27/02/1989

Place of birth: Bulawayo

Height: 1.87

Weight: 112kgs

Current Club and Season joined: Brackenfell Rugby Club

Previous Clubs: UWC Rugby Club

University or Academies attended Include year: (UWC) University of the Western Cape 

High School Attended: Prince Edward Boys high

Other teams played for: Zimbabwe Sables, Zimbabwe 7s (Cheetahs)

Awards won (Name all): 

UWC international Honours Award

UWC Sportsman of the year nominee

UWC Players player of the year

Cups won (name all):Hong Kong HSBC 7s pre-qualifiers  (2012)

Major tournaments played in:

Africa Cup (Gold Cup)

Russia 7s World Cup

International HSBC 7s

Varsity Shield

Under 20 Championship Qualifiers

Victoria Cup 

USSA 7s

Full Name: Wade Petzer 

Nickname: waydo  

Position/s: loose head prop  

Date of birth: 14 10 84 

Place of birth: Harare 

Height: 176cm 

Weight: 112kgs 

Current Club and Season joined: Old Georgians  Club 2016

High School 

Prince Edward 

Other teams played for, Zimbabwe Cheetahs 

Cups won (name all): Kwese 7s champions 

Major tournaments , SARU Gold Cup, Cyprus 10s Kwese 7s

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU).