NEW: Big boost for Junior Sables ahead of Uruguay match

ZIMBABWE Under-20 coach, Shaun De Souza, will have a full squad to select from when the Junior Sables take on Uruguay in the second match of their ongoing Canada Rugby International tomorrow.

This follows the much-awaited arrival of the remaining players that had encountered visa problems prior to their departure last week.

These include Tawanda Banda, Nqobile Manyara, Simbarashe Siraha, Liberty Sibanda and Brendan Marume.

Five of the outstanding six players arrived in Canada earlier this week, and look primed to take to the field tomorrow.

Of the six, only Tomuvonga Msasanure is yet to arrive.

“Yes, five of the six players have joined us, and have already trained and acclimatized themselves to the conditions and time difference here,” said De Souza from his base in Canada.

“It has certainly given us a big boost ahead of the game against Uruguay, as they give us fresh options and fresh pairs of legs going into that match,” he said.

After having dispatched hosts Canada 34-24 during the opening encounter of the four-team tournament last weekend, Zimbabwe will tomorrow turn their attention to the South American side.

The Zimbabwe Under-20 gaffer is hoping for a better showing against Uruguay, as on top of having a bigger pool to choose from, his technical team has a better understanding of the challenge that lies ahead.

“It certainly was a big confidence boost,” he said on his team’s 34-24 win over the hosts.

“We went into that match as underdogs, playing against the host, and didn’t really have much to go on as pertains to how they play.

“I just told my boys to put their best foot forward and stick to the game plan which worked.

“We had a great first half in which we utilised our opportunities well.

“They came hard at us in the second half, which was to be expected and something we planned for during the break.

“Uruguay, on the other hand, are a completely different side.

“We managed to watch them play last year when they toured South Africa and did so again when they played their first match against Chile this past weekend.

“We have a pretty good idea of their strengths and weaknesses, and have a strategy for combat and expose them,” he said.

The game against Uruguay will be Zimbabwe’s penultimate match of the tournament, and kicks off at 10PM.

The Junior Sables will wrap up their time in Canada when they play Chile next week.