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ALL EYES ON SWART . . . Sables forwards listen attentively as South Africa scrummaging coach Balie Swart (in stripped track-top) conducts his first training session with the players at St John’s College yesterday evening

Paul Munyuki Sports Reporter
FORMER Springbok and South Africa rugby specialist forwards coach Balie Swart yesterday evening conducted his first training session with the Sables forwards at St John’s College. He had arrived in the country a few hours earlier. The former Springbok World Cup-winning tight head prop will work with the Zimbabwe senior national rugby side for the next three days in the final leg of their preparations for the Africa Cup that is also doubling up as a World Cup qualifier.

Zimbabwe need to finish, at least, second if they are to entertain any chances of playing at the World Cup.
Winning the tournament will guarantee them an automatic place at the World Cup while finishing second will put them into the play-offs.

Swart is currently working for South African Rugby as a scrum coach and selector and the Sables technical team, led by coach Brendan Dawson, believe that his input will add a lot of value to the team ahead of the Madagascar tournament.

“He is a very experienced coach, he has both played and coached at the highest level because he played and won the World Cup at some time and his qualifications speak volumes of the kind of a coach that he is,” said Dawson.

“We have all the reason to believe in him and that is why he is here after all.
“We are very grateful to be associated with him and having him here means we have to capitalise on the time he will be with us before we go to Madagascar.”

Previously Swart was the scrum coach for the Sharks franchise but currently works with SANZAR developing coaches and referees — specifically with the scrum.

He is probably the best thing that has happened to the Sables since they went into camp a week ago as the ZRU were not able to organise any international friendly games for the flagship national rugby team.

The Sables squad was divided into two on Friday night for a trial match at Harare Sports Club that surely showed both sides of the Sables before the technical team name the travelling party latest by tomorrow.

The Zimbabwe senior national rugby side’s strength lies largely in their loose trio and the back three.
Preparing for the Africa Cup that is also doubling up as a World Cup qualifier, This Probables versus Possibles game was the best thing the Zimbabwe Rugby Union could afford.

Danny Robertson has an equally good kicking game and could come in at 13 where the Sables technical team acknowledged that they have some issues finding someone who can naturally pair Daniel Hondo.

Hondo’s trusted lieutenant and former captain Cleopas Makotose is not part of the squad.
Most of the players that have been named as options include wingers Stephan Hunduza, Shane Makombe, Tangai Nemadire and flyhalf Tichafara Makwanya but there still could be a problem as there isn’t enough cover.

“Shane has always been a centre, he has gone Down South and done exceptionally well and won the Backliner-of-the-Year in his Varsity Shield debut season with University of KwaZulu Natal Impi side, John Mitchell spoke highly of him as a wing-cum-centre so we got it fairly covered there,” said Dawson.

“Riaan O’Neil comes in as a centre, we have got Stavo (Stephan Hunduza) who has played exceptionally well at the club level as centre, we have Danny Robertson who can always step in as well as Tangai Nemadire

“Outside centre was one of our biggest problems but I think we have the ability in certain players that can cover that for us,” added Dawson.

Sables Squad

Forwards:
F. Chipendu, F, Mudariki, J. Ferreira, S. Ferreira, L. Groenewald, P. Joubert, G. Lawler, J. Leitao, M. Mandioma, T. Mangezi, K. Murray, D. Mutamangira, R. Mwale, N. Ndlovu, K. Nqindi, M. Passaportis, A. Rose, S. Sibanda, N. Winwood.
Backs:
T. Chitokwindo, D. Hondo, S. Hunduza, S. Makombe, T. Makwanya, H. Mudariki, G. Nechironga, T. Nemadire, R. O’Neill, D. Robertson, G. Sibanda, L. Tambwera.