For the first time, a test match will be played outside Gaborone. The rugby side goes into the game following two consecutive losses, 27-13 and 24-21, to Leopards Rugby Club in Mafikeng. Senior team assistant coach, Tshoganetso ‘Shakes’ Katse, said the team is ready to take on Lesotho and they will not leave anything to chance. “Preparations have been going well; the last training in Gaborone was on Wednesday, followed by strength workouts yesterday in Jwaneng. We will be playing without Jason Graham (scrum-half) due to a rib injury that he picked during the Leopard match. Fly-half, Brandon van Zyl is also out due to work commitments,” he said. Katse said the morale is high in the team, and they are looking forward to victory. He said it might be a friendly match but they are taking it seriously. He said other players will be given a chance as new formations are being tried out. As part of the day’s activities, there will be a curtain raiser between the Hukuntsi and Jwaneng, Re Ba Bona Ha centres.
The Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) secretary-general, Osi Kopano told MmegiSport that the match between the two grassroots development areas would showcase some of the young talent they have. Kopano said it will be an opportunity for emerging players to display their skills on a national stage. The international friendly match is an opportunity for The Vultures to develop their squad as they prepare for the Africa Rugby draft matches slated for Morocco in November. Botswana is in Group B with Morocco (host), Madagascar, and Cameroon. In parallel, Tunisia will host the competition of Pool A, with Zambia, Nigeria, and Ghana. The winners will then compete for a spot in Group A of the next Africa Cup, a crucial stage for the Rugby World Cup qualification. The BRU coaching department has trimmed the squad from 44 to 35.
The Vultures team: Tafadzwa Montshiwa, Ketshedile Matenanga (captain), Ronan McGann, James Vambe, Martin Simon, van Zyl, Ben Strauss, Travis Rainford, Katlego Mohutsiwa, Ishmael Pelaelo, Herbert Nkonjera, Letlhogile Tsheko, Nicholas de Beer, Thato Maifala, Thabang Diphera, Rambo Masalila, Takura Nyatanga, Stanley Chukwuma, Atang Balopi, Peter Hughes, Jason Graham, Manus Lewis, Obakeng Lewis, Brandon Rouse, Mpho Raditlopi, Arthur Lewis, Kagiso Setabo, Eleazar Ndlovu, Owen Uaja, Tafadzwa Ncude (vice captain), Kitso Matija, Godknows Mavara, Biggie Derera, and Adrian Zvarevashe.
