Zimbabwe will continue with their preparations for the Africa Women’s Sevens to be held in Tunisia later this year when they feature in the Hermanus Sevens tournament in Cape Town this weekend.
The Minerva-sponsored Lady Cheetahs are currently riding on the crest of a wave after recently putting on a dominant show to win the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens pre-qualifying tournament in Lesotho without conceding a try.
Lady Cheetahs head coach Derek Chiwara believes this weekend’s Hermanus Sevens tournament should provide him with the perfect platform to assess his charges’ readiness for the Africa Women’s Sevens, where they will battle it out against the continent’s top teams.
The team which will compete under the name Zimbabwe Women’s Sevens Academy, departed for South Africa on Friday for the two-day tournament, which kicks off on Saturday, with the Sevens’ coach optimistic of a good outing.
“We are using the Hermanus Sevens tournament as part of our preparations for the Africa Cup,” said Chiwara.
“It is crucial that we take advantage of this tournament and put in some solid game time.”
The Zimbabwe Women’s Sevens Academy side is expected to lock horns with a South Africa developmental side (SA Blues) and eight academy sides.
These include Dames Black, Titans 2, Blue jets, Riverside, Busy Bees, Dame Whites, Titans 1 and Dames.
Zimbabwe Academy and SA Blues go into the tournament as the two top-ranked teams.
SA Blues have been placed in Pool A and will be joined by Titans 2, Dames Black, Blue Jets and Dames Pinks.
The Zimbabwe Academy side will be in Pool B alongside Busy Bees, Riverdale, Titans 1 and Dames White.
Zimbabwe Women’s Sevens Academy Squad: Margaret Magwaro, Lindiwe Munerenyu, Chiwoniso Mabika, Gladys Mukome, Rumbidzai Chigumba, Delight Mukomondo, Precious Marange, Robyn Mhembere, Precious Chirinda, Stella Chikowore, Munashe Kudzunga, Linia Matenga