Zimbabwe’s multi-talented sportswoman Precious Marange has been included in the national women’s 15s rugby team which is scheduled to represent the country at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Cape Town next week.
The 39-year-old allrounder, who has also represented Zimbabwe in international women’s cricket, and women’s rugby sevens was part of the 25-player Lady Sables squad which left for Cape Town on Monday.
The Rugby Africa Women Cup will see Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa compete in Group A of the competition which is scheduled for June 19 to 25.
The upcoming continental women’s rugby competition will be Marange’s third national assignment in as many sporting codes this year.
She was part of the national women’s cricket team which played against Namibia and Uganda in the Capricorn Women’s Twenty20 International triangular cricket series in Windhoek.
After helping the Lady Chevrons clinch the three-nation tournament, Marange immediately left for Tunisia, where he linked up with the national women’s rugby sevens side, the Lady Cheetahs for the Africa Women’s Sevens Cup.
This coming week Marange will make the switch from rugby sevens to the 15s format with the Lady Cheetahs, who will be competing in their first international competition this year.
Meanwhile, the Lady Sables team features a nice blend of young talent and experienced players such as Marange.
The team is being coached by ex-national women’s team player Lissy Wasarirevu, who was appointed interim head coach of the team in March, taking over from Munya Mhonda.
Mhonda led the team in 2020 and oversaw the Lady Sables 2021 rugby campaign where the Lady Sables recorded four losses out of the four games they played.
Wasarirevu was elevated to be the interim head coach after the annual review of national teams by the National Technical Committee and she will be hoping to get her tenure off to a good start in Cape Town.
Lady Sables squad: Melissa Ndlovu (captain), Patience Harubereki, Vanessa Mugari, Samantha Chirongoma, Erika Rumbidzai, Caroline Malenga, Hope Chidawa, Liliosa Chigumbu, Cynthia Maungwa, Tarren Munodaani, Ayanda Mhembere, Dananai Mukomondo, Emelda Mabika, Priviledge Musere, Precious Marange, Mbalehle Mzizi, Jacqueline Mupudzi, Vimbai Dehwa, Nyashadzashe Gonangombe, Tanyaradzwa Shoko, Pauline Sianga, Kudzanai Chirinda, Rufaro Tagarrira, Tadiwanashe Chendambuya, Line Magumura