Five players have been instituted into the Young Sables captaincy as the national youth rugby team gets ready to resume camp on Monday to continue preparations for mid-year assignments in the Confederation of African Rugby Under-20 championships.

Almost 20 players who were part of the provisional squad called for training last month have been dropped, leaving 36 who will report for the April 10-18 drilling in the capital. Thereafter a further nine

players are to be axed, leaving the final squad of 25. 

Bob Mahari, head coach of the Zimbabwe Under-20 team, confirmed England-based loose forward Aiden Burnett, Old Georgians fullback Shingirai Katsvere, lock Moses Gunda, flanker Zvikomborero Muzorewa

and scrum-half Takudzwa Gamanya would form the captaincy of the side.

“The Young Sables captain has not been appointed yet. For now we have a leadership group that is helping us navigate the next 10 days. The captain will be announced along with the rest of the travelling squad at the thanksgiving ceremony on April 15,’’ Mahari pronounced.

The ex- Churchill assistant coach, who is ironically deputized in the Young Sables by his former Bulldogs superior Geoff Madhake, also confirmed the withdrawal of Western Province Academy skipper Sam Phiri

who had been earmarked for the same role in the national team.

“After a lengthy discussion with Sam we felt him staying at WP during the infancy stage of his club commitments was the best thing for him and wise thing for our long-term plans. WP is a very competitive team and a prolonged absence might hinder his growth,’’ explained Mahari.

“There will be an opportunity for him to contribute to the Young Sables going forward. So, yes, we will miss Sam’s big shoes but Zim is blessed with some great wings and this will allow us to grow our depth

and exposure.’’

The 36-man squad includes the United Kingdom-based duo of Burnett and Ciaran Buttler who are both stationed at Hartpury College. Timothy Jaravani, Kudzai Mnangi and Tarisai Mapfumo have been called up from South Africa.

The Doves-sponsored team has so far held two training camps during which they featured at the Chegutu Bowl Competition and also played a friendly against Matabeleland Warriors at Hartsfield in Bulawayo.

The 36-man squad:

Props: Edwin Nxumalo, Shalom Ngonidzashe, Deanne Makoni, Bornwell Gwinyi, Thamsanqa Ncube.

Hookers: Tinotenda Masasanure, Aspiration Matore.

Locks: Timothy Jaravani, Rodney Mqhele Ncube, Moses Gunda, Gerald Wasterfall, Akim Dick, Tinashe Muchena, Ciaran Buttler.

Loose Forwards: Blythe Mavisiri, Zvikomborero Muzorewa, Scott Young, Francis Hwangwa, Aiden Burnett.

Scrum Halves: Pride Nyameni, Albert Garira, Takudzwa Gamanya.

Flyhalves: Jeremiah Jaravaza, Tinotenda Savanhu, Enrique R Ndlovu.

Centres: Ralph Tirivanhu, Anthony Tanner, Shingirai Katsvere, Adrian Zvarevashe.

Wings: Russell Dinha, Gregory Mhindu, Shingirai Hlanguyo, Tamuka Pamire.

Fullbacks: Tarisi Mapfumo, Jimias Masuku, Kudzai Mnangi.