Spain-based Sables lock Jan Ferreira will lead the 26-man Presidents XV squad that will do duty against the Steval Puma of South Africa on Friday afternoon at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds.

Team manager Sabastian Garikai named the side on Thursday morning before they left Old Hararians Sports Club for Bulawayo where they were are expected to arrive in the evening.

Lawrence Cleminson, Moses Gunda, Jeremy Mututu and Bastian Mendelsohn complete the foreign-based contingent in the largely uncapped Zimbabwe squad.

Zimbabwe will play as the Presidents XV as this is not a Test match since they are playing a provincial side.

However, scrummy Taddy Whata sat out of Wednesday’s training session at Old Hararians complaining of a rib injury while winger Tangai Nemadire pulled out due to a groin problem.

“Those were just minor knocks and twitches and I am sure they will be good for the game,” said Mandenge.

The Pumas arrived in Bulawayo on Wednesday afternoon ahead and the Vodacom champions and held a training clinic as part of them giving back to the Zimbabwe rugby community.

The clash between the Presidents XV and Pumas will be the first international match Bulawayo will host since 2011 and The last time a senior side featured in an international match in Bulawayo was when the Sables beat Uganda 49-21 in the Victoria Cup competition.

The game was facilitated for by Kyros Sports Management who last month put up a historical game when they managed to bring Super Rugby Sides the Cheetahs and Blue Bulls to play in Zimbabwe for the first time.

Squads

Presidents XV: Lawrence Cleminson, Jan Ferreira, Bastian Mendelsohn, Kudzai Muzorewa, Moses Gunda, Jeremy Mututu, Ngoni Chibuwe, Adrian Banda, Irvine Nduwa, Japhet Ndebele, Pieter Joubert, Tinashe Bopoto, Sandile Lupuwana, Hardlife Masunda, Jason McKay, Nelson Madida, Tapiwa Mangezi, Kudzi Mudzekenyedze, Kuda Chimukuyu, Mike Zvakavapano, Walter Gode, Tendai Dzongodza, Tawanda Chowe, Taddy Whata. Schalk Ferreira, Lloyd Machanjaira

Pumas Squad: Bernado Botha, Marné Coetzee, Francois du Toit, Tyler Fisher, Stephan Greeff, Carel Greeff, Johan Herbst, Hugo Kloppers, Hoffmann Maritz, Khwezi Mona, Dylan Peterson, Marcello Sampson, Marnus Schoeman, Hennie Skorbinski, Jannie Stander, Heinrich Steyl, Emile Temperman, Nardus van der Walt, Marlou van Niekerk, Justin van Staden, Leighton van Wyk and Simon Westraadt.