A new-look Sables squad dominated by youthful players left Harare yesterday afer lunch for Namibia where they will take on the hosts in thier final game of the Africa Cup Rugby Group 1A competition in Windhoek.

Five new players including Young Sables Under-20 star Connor Pritchard, George Saungweme, Mashawi, Toriro are set to earn thier first Sables caps on Saturday.

Sables coach Cyprian "Supa" Mandenge has shown belief and faith in the future as he travelled to Namiba with a youthful rugby squad for their final Africa Cup Group 1A game against the hosts.

Zimbabwe Under-20 captain Connor Pritchard, who was a revelation at the World Rugby Trophy Under-20 tournament a few months ago has been named in the starting XV together with Ian Muza, Tadius Dzandiwandira, David Makanda, Tinashe Toriro.

Nine of the players in the starting XV against Namibia on Saturday were born after 1990 and this becomes Zimbabwe’s youngest Sables squad in almost a decade while at least seven of the players came through the Young Sables system.

“This is a sign that we are rebuilding. It is important that we take development seriously and invest in the players that come through our system and this is the beginning.

“Yes we are going to be facing Namibia, it is going to be a tough game but we have to start preparing for the future and come Hong Kong (in November) this is the kind of a team we are looking forward to be travelling with,” said Mandenge.

Only captain Denford Mutamangi, lock fortune Chipendu and versatile forward Constantine Dinha – who is the oldest member of the squad with 38 years old – are veterans of the game.

Zimbabwe lost their opening two Africa Cup games at home against Kenya and Uganda and have already been demoted to Group 1B for next year’s competition – a battle they will have to win if they are to stand a chance of making it for the 2019 World Cup.

In the forward pack, hooker Keith Murray (injury), Peiter Joubert, lock Sanele Sibanda, and flanker Jacques Leitao have all been ruled out while winger Tangai Nemadire, centre Boyd Rouse, and scrummy Hilton Mudariki have been left out.

Prop Makanda, hooker Muza, flanker Pritchard, have come in as part of the forwards while Toriro, Dzandiwanzira and Nduwa complete the changes Mandenge made to the side that lost to Uganda a fortnight ago.

Sables Squad

1-8: David Makanda, Ian Muza, Denford Mutamangira, Connor Pritchard, Biselele Tshamala, Fortunate Chependu, Constantine Dinha.

15-9: Irvine Nduwa, Tadius Dzandiwandira, Lungile Tshuma, Gavin Nyawata, Tinashe Toriro, Stephan Hunduza, Lenience Tambwera, Charles Jiji.

16-23: Witness Mandizha, Kudzai Mashawi, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Brian Makamure, George Saungweme, Joshua Gando, Royal Mwale, Ngoni Chibuwe.