By Kuchineyi Lewis
Harare, Zimbabwe – 9 May 2025
The Zimbabwe Sables are set to take on an underprepared Botswana Vultures side tomorrow Saturday, 10 May, at Harare Sports Club in the much-anticipated Battle of Zimbabwe Series, with the kick-off scheduled for 14:30hrs.
Botswana’s head coach Andrew Paxinos has openly admitted that his team is short on preparation, having only played a single warm-up match against Sibanye two weeks ago. With their national league just underway, training time has been limited, and a number of players will miss the fixture due to injuries or work commitments.
“We haven’t had much preparation… we don’t really have any foreign players either,” Paxinos conceded.
Despite their uphill task, Botswana’s captain Brandon van Zyl highlighted the value of facing strong opposition like Zimbabwe. “It’s very important for us to be playing top-tier teams like Zimbabwe. It exposes us to a high level of rugby,” he said.
In contrast, the Sables come into the match overflowing with confidence following a dominant 70-15 win over Zambia last weekend. Head coach Pieter Benade has named a strong 23-man squad, underlined by tactical rotation.
Khumalo, a product of the Grassroots-To-Greatness pathway, expressed pride in leading the side. “It’s an honour to captain this team. We’re ready for Botswana and want to keep our winning momentum going,” he said.
The squad sees young scrum-half Tyrone Gombe earning his first start after impressing off the bench against Zambia. The only notable absentee is Tadius ‘Boxer’ Dzandiwandira, ruled out due to a concussion sustained last weekend.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union is urging fans to fill Harare Sports Club to support the Sables, who hope to feed off the energy of their home crowd.
“It truly feels like we have a 16th player on the field,” added Khumalo.
Below are the full squads for the clash:
Zimbabwe Starting XV:
- Zvikomborero Chimoto
- Bryan Chiang
- Brian Makamure
- David Makamba
- Nyasha Shiripinda
- Tadiwanashe Gwashu
- Brian Nyaude
- Aiden Burnett (VC)
- Tyrone Gombe (Debut)
- Lenience Tambwera
- Darrel Makwasha
- Tapiwa Malenga
- Dion Khumalo (C)
- Shingi Katsvere
- Trevor Gurwe
Replacements:
- Vuyiswa Mpofu
- Wade Petzer (Debut)
- Jeff Makoni
- Takunda Kundishora
- Vuyani Dhlomo
- Tonderai Chiwambutsa
- Hilton Mudariki
- Kudzai Mashawi
Botswana Starting XV:
- Martin Simon
- Ryan Burger
- Nick de Beer
- Omphile Debula
- Ketshidile Matenanga
- Ben Strauss
- Kitso Matija
- Michael Strauss
- Calvin van Zyl
- Brandon van Zyl (C)
- Siampanga Sindaza
- James Vambe
- Adrian Zvarevashe
- Letlhogile Tsheko
- Banjo Kesianye
Replacements:
- Obakeng Kokwe
- Otlametse Serumola
- Kagiso Setabo
- Arno Fouche
- Thabang Diphera
- Zekuatua Tjipumba
- Ishmael Pelaelo
- Owen Uaja
- Dries Roos
