Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Paul Munyuki
7 November 2009
Harare — SOUTH AFRICA Sevens coach Paul Treu believes Zimbabwe is improving its game at a good rate and learning quickly from their mistakes and they could be a force in the world soon.
The Cheetahs gave the Springboks a tough time in their 7-10 loss last weekend at the Nashua Middelburg Sevens -- a huge improvement from a 14-61 loss against the same team in Namibia at the end of September.
Both the Cheetahs and the Goshawks put up good performances at the festival where the Cheetahs won three of their five games while the Goshawks had three wins, a draw and a defeat. The Cheetahs beat their northern neighbours Zambia 28-7 before adding two more wins by beating hosts Pumas 21-10, and edging the Blue Bulls 19-14 but fell 19-26 to Samurai before the Springboks escaped with a 10-7 win.
Hosts South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe were some of the national teams that graced the international festival.
But it was the performance by the Cheetahs against the Boks that impressed Treu.
"Zimbabwe were a much improved side this time given that we only last played them a month ago and they have managed to stop us from scoring as many points against them like we did in Namibia last month," said Treu.
"In the second half we did not score any points against them and all their points also came in the second half which means they were able to learn to learn from their mistakes.
"If a team is able to put up such an improvement in just one month, what if they have an opportunity to play as many tournaments as we do?"
But there were a number of changes to both teams compared to when they faced each other in the Trustco Namibia tournament. The Springboks were without Mpho Mboyizo and Reg Muller while Kyle Brown, Marthinus Mentz, Sean Raubenheimer and Rennie Dazel came into their side.
The Cheetahs had Gerald Sibanda and Wesley Mbanje as the two additions while Scotty Jones and Grant Mitchell were missing due to injury.
"But that is all part of the game because you don't always have the same side all the time and all we know that is South Africa is South Africa no matter who is in the side and that is why player bases have to be wide," said Treu.
"I also give credit to the Zimbabwe coach (Gilbert Nyamutsama) for the work he is doing. This time they managed to bring up two sides which is a very commendable and important move in developing the game.
"This gives helps players and by the time they are selected for the national team they have a true picture of what is expected of them and they will be ready for the grand stage."
Even Cheetahs manager Bruce Hobson was pleased with the way his side fared at the festival as they prepare for the opening legs of the IRB Series early next month.
"It was a very good result but we are obviously disappointed by the loss to Samurai, just a game before we played the Springboks but we have to expect such things in tournaments like these because it all about capitalising on mistakes made," said Hobson.
"We made a mistake and they gained confidence that they can be able to beat us and that is what they just did.
"But the result against South Africa really showed we have improved looking at the fact that we have just been working for a month and if we get a lot of game time then we will develop much faster.
"It's also good that we have a chance to play a team like South Africa as we prepare for the IRB Dubai and George tournaments in early December because the Springboks are a full circuit team and we are able to judge where we are standing when we play teams like them."
Meet the Cheetahs
Grant Mitchell: A hard working forward good at rucks and turnover balls. Not very fast and lack of speed compromises his play but he makes up for this at the rucking area.
Fortune Chipendo: A powerful forward mostly referred to as the airman of the team as he takes advantage of his height to collect the high balls from the kick off and in line outs.
Jacques Leitao (captain): He is a hardworking player and besides being a leader he is very accurate in defence and stands strong in tackling.
Njabulo Ndlovu: Still a developing player in the Cheetahs side who played his first tournament for the Sevens side in Namibia a month ago.
Has a lot of potential, tough on the tackles and looks vicious in attack.
Tafadzwa Mhende: Definitely one of the best one-on-one players the Cheetahs are blessed to have. Has a high work rate and is very outstanding at defence.
Graham Kaulback: One of the new Cheetahs still in development. His ball distribution skills could improve a lot if he works more on his passing technique.
The Middelburg tournament was also his second.
Daniel Hondo: Very alert and has exceptional defence contolling skills.
Is one of the most experienced players in the side and is a vital part of the team.
Japhet Ndebele: Has a good work rate. Speed being his major strength. Got his first Cheetahs cap in Namibia and is one of the new players.
Has been involved with the Goshawks for the past two years.
Slatter Ndlovu: One of the most experienced players in the Cheetahs squad. Is also among the most attentive players in the backline especially at the rucks.
Gardner Nechironga: A very skilful player and an all rounder in the side. Comfortable in most positions, both in the forwards and in the backline. Has speed, and can also come in as an airman.
Gerald Sibanda: An outright speed star. Very diminutive when he catches the ball and difficult to hold back in attack once he gains momentum.
Wesley Mbanje: One of the fastest Cheetahs in Zimbabwe. Blessed with the gift of speed. Very good in defence and comands the midfield well.
Scotty Jones: His small body stature does not draw him back. He has a big heart and gives all he has on the scrum. He however, still needs a lot of developing to do.
Tangai Nemadire: Probably the most talented and dangerous player in the squad. Has improved a lot in his game and his play is still on the rise. Combines well especially with Sibanda and Cleopas Makotose
Cleopas Makotose: Last played for the Cheetahs at the Hong Kong leg of the IRB Sevens series. Has a lot of potential and is very dangerous in attack.
Gilbert Nyamutsamba (coach): Has been involved a lot with Sevens rugby. Finally paid after being patient in waiting as an assistant coach to Liam Middleton.
Though not yet confirmed as the coach since the World Cup, Nyamutsamba is tipped to do so at the Dubai and George IRB next month
Bruce Hobson (manager): A hard working administrator who has won the Annual National Sports Awards administrator of the year twice in a row. Has been involved with the Cheetahs since the turn of the millennium.
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