The Zimbabwe Sables have bolstered their technical team with the addition of a retired former Sables captain, who will take on a specialised role focusing on scrummaging.

Based locally, the former skipper brings invaluable experience and leadership to the forward unit as the Sables sharpen their set-piece dominance ahead of this year’s Rugby Africa Cup.

He joins Fortune Chipendo, who continues his work with the squad on line-out execution, forming a duo of seasoned specialists tasked with fine-tuning Zimbabwe’s forward play.

The strategic addition comes as the Sables aim to build on the momentum from their most successful year in recent history, which saw them secure five victories out of six and climb up the World Rugby rankings.

With the Africa Cup doubling as a key qualifier for the next Rugby World Cup cycle, Zimbabwe’s technical preparations have taken on added intensity.

The restructured backroom team is part of a wider plan to ensure the Sables enter the tournament with a clinical edge in all areas of play.

The squad is currently in the early stages of its preparations, with a clear focus on building cohesion and physicality ahead of the continental showdown in July.