HARARE - The Zimbabwe Sevens rugby franchise has turned down pleas from the country’s premier national team by naming key Sables players in the Cheetahs squad to play in next week’s South African leg IRB World Sevens Series in Port Elizabeth.

The Sables will next month take part in the IRB-sanctioned Emirates Airline Cup of Nations in Dubai.

The Cheetahs management had previously promised to strike a balance between the country’s two national sides, but yesterday all key players were included for the Port Elizabeth trip.

Jacques Leitao, Fortune Chipendo, Daniel Hondo, Gardner Nechironga, Tangai Nemadire, all members of the Sables squad which won the African title in June, were included alongside others Sables stars like Wes Mbanje and Njabulo Ndlovu.

Meanwhile, France-based Garth Ziegler was also drafted into the team after arriving in the country this week. He last played for the Cheetahs in 2008.

There was no place for in the team though for the emerging pair of Johnathan McWade and Graeme Kaulback.

“I believe we have a strong team, we have dropped McWade and Kaulback which is a sign of depth in the side,” said Cheetahs coach Gilbert Nyamutsamba.

 CHEETAHS SQUAD

Jacques Leitao (captain), Fortune Chipendo, Njabulo Ndlovu, Justin Coles, Lucky Sithole,  Tangai Nemadire, Kilvan Magunje, Daniel Hondo,Gardner Nechironga, Wes Mbanje,  Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Garth Zegler.