NEW: Manyarara to lead Young Sables

Online Reporter

ZIMBABWE Under-20 coach Shaun De Souza has named Shingirayi Manyarara as captain of the Junior Sables for 2024, taking over from Panashe Zuze who is no longer eligible.

De Souza announced on Tuesday, naming his 80-member Zimbabwe Under-20 High-Performance squad for next month’s Nedbank Rugby Challenge Cup.

The local pre-season tournament, slated for March 16-23, has become a staple of the Junior Sables preparations for the Barthes Trophy and, by extension, the Junior Rugby Trophy.

Manyarara and loose-head prop Huntley Masterson will, however, be unavailable for this year’s Barthes Trophy due to club and University commitments.

“The talent identification programme began in earnest back in November, and we have since had the chance to look at every player that came in,” said De Souza on the 80-member squad.

“We had a good look, a good assessment of what we have at our disposal, and feel pretty satisfied with both the squad and talent we have in camp,” he said.

“We do, however, have a few players who have communicated that they will not be able to make it for the Barthes Trophy.”