THE Zimbabwe national rugby sevens team will make their return to international competition in almost four months when they feature in the highly competitive Safari Sevens tournament to be played in Kenya this weekend.

The Cheetahs as the national rugby sevens is affectionately known are among a total of 16 teams that have confirmed participation for the Safari Sevens which will be held on Saturday and Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

Zimbabwe are one of the five international teams in the field together with hosts Kenya, Uganda, Spain and Germany.

Other teams that will take part in the two-day rugby extravaganza include South Africa Sevens Academy, former champions Samurai, Red Wailers, Stallion Sevens of Nigeria, KCB, Kenya Under-20, Shujaa and defending champions Kenya Morans.

The Cheetahs team will be led by 28-year-old hardworking Harare Sports Club centre Kudzai Mashawi, who takes over the captaincy duties from South Africa-based Boyd Rouse.

Rouse led the Cheetahs in their last international assignment at the World Rugby Sevens Olympic Repechage tournament in Monaco four months ago in the absence of former skipper Stephan Hunduza.

The new-look Cheetahs features three uncapped players, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Ganizani Chiku and Old Vuyani Dhlomo.

The Cheetahs will be led by former Cheetahs player Graham Kaulback, who is the caretaker coach following Daniel Hondo’s resignation last year.

Zimbabwe will also be represented in the women’s category, where the Lady Cheetahs will be joined by South Africa Select, Uganda, Kenya Lionesses 1 and Kenya Lionesses 2.

Cheetahs Squad: Kudzai Mashawi (captain) Godfrey Magaramombe, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Vuyani Dhlomo, Jerry Jaravaza, Ryan Musumhi, Munesu Muneta, Munopa Muneta, Prince Ncube, Shingirai Katsvere, Brandon Boshi, Ganizani Chiku

Head coach: Graham Kaulback

Assistant coach/Team manager Tafadzwa Mhende

Physiotherapist: Maggie Gibson.