Cheetahs select provisional 24-man squad

The technical team of the Zimbabwe national sevens rugby side, the Cheetahs has identified at least half a dozen players to beef up the provisional 24 men squad likely to participate at the 2018 Sevens World Cup to be held in United States of America in July.

More than 40 players from local clubs and those plying their trade abroad in South Africa, UK and USA attended the two-day tryout camp held at the Harare Sports Club.

National sevens rugby team manager Donald ‘Basco’ Mangenje said the two-day camp identified several players to be infused with the current crop of the Cheetahs.

Some of the young and upcoming players were excited at the prospects of donning the national colours at the world’s biggest stage.

Zimbabwe are scheduled to play in at least seven tournaments starting in South Africa, Zambia and Kenya next month before the world cup proper.

The Hong Kong Sevens in April marks the beginning of the international rugby sevens schedule where Zimbabwe is expected to fight for core member status berth and cement its position in world sevens rugby.

Zimbabwe, neighbours South Africa, Kenya and Uganda will be the African representatives at the San Francisco rugby extravaganza where a total of 24 teams will compete.