ADRIAN Garvey and Tonderai Chavhanga (pictured) – both former South Africa national rugby team players with Zimbabwean roots – will be co-guests at a Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) event on Tuesday organised to put into motion concerted action by the country to return to the World Cup for the first time in three decades.
A tighthead prop known for his mobility in his playing days, Garvey knows how it is like to play in the World Cup.
Bulawayo-born Garvey featured in the Rugby World Cup twice for two separate countries, one of a few players to achieve the unique feat before the sport’s global governing body changed eligibility rules which now prohibit dual-international careers.
Garvey (now 52) first represented his native Zimbabwe at the 1991 World Cup in Britain and France before turning out for the Springboks at the 1999 edition in Wales.
He totalled 10 Test caps for Zimbabwe and 28 for South Africa.
While the 1991 World Cup was the first of Garvey’s brace tournament appearances at the global showpiece, for Zimbabwe it was the last.
The Sables had been the only African team at the inaugural Rugby World Cup four years earlier in 1987, and then at the 1991 edition.
Garvey’s co-guest at the ZRU event, Chavhanga, a four-time capped international, scored six times on debut for the Springboks against Uruguay in 2005, a South Africa record for the most number of tries scored in one game.
Masvingo-born Chavhanga (36) was Zimbabwe’s assistant coach until July this year when he left the post due to pressing commitments elsewhere.-Staff Writer
