After overcoming some early nerves Zimbabwe’s tennis star Cara Black and her partner Leander Paes from India won the Wimbledon mixed doubles title in straight sets against South Africa’s Wesley Moodie and Lisa Raymond from the Unites States on Sunday.

The mixed doubles final took place on Centre Court straight after strolled Rafael Nadal had won the men’s singles. A topsy-turvy opening set had five breaks of serve as both pairs struggled to impose themselves. But after losing three of the first four games, the second seeds and last years loosing finalists rallied to win five of the next six and closed out the set in 37 minutes.

The second set turned out to be a reversal of the first and it was a tightly fought encounter without a single break of serve.

The tiebreak proved a test of nerve and Black and Paes held theirs with the Indian volleying the winner on championship point to take the match in one hour and 37 minutes.

This is Cara’s second Wimbledon title as she has previously won won in 2004 with her brother Wayne Black and their second grand slam title of the year after winning the Australian Open title in January with a 7-5 6-3 victory against Ekaterina Makarova and Jaroslav Levinský. They have also won the U.S. Open in 2008 and were runners-up at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open last year.

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Aim
The eXtreme 5 Challenge is aiming to raise £100,000 for “Homes in Zimbabwe” (HIZ – UK registered charity 1104512). HIZ looks after destitute pensioners who lost their life savings in Zimbabwe’s economic collapse. Participants can either raise money for this charity or one of their own choosing. (More about Homes in Zimbabwe)

The Challenge
eXtreme 5 Challenge’s teams of 4 to swim, run, cycle and kayak whilst raising money for charity.

eXtreme 5 is looking for 100 teams to participate in the eXtreme 5 Challenge on Sunday 12 September 2010 at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes.

The challenge is a relay consisting of a:

• 1.5km swim;
• 5km kayak;
• 30km cycle;
• 10km run; whilst raising money for charity

“We came up with the concept of this team challenge after completing our own physical challenges in 34 days during the summer of 2009. We ran a 26 mile marathon, cycled 1050 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats, kayaked 60 miles along the Caledonian Canal and played four rounds of golf in 15 hours. We are challenging others to do something similar” said Simon Grint, one of the eXtreme 5 organisers.

This is going to be a fun day out for both participants and spectators with food, drink, music and a children’s play area. The event is free for spectators wanting to come along and cheer on the teams.

If the physical elements sound a bit daunting, there are other ways to support the event. The organisers are looking for volunteers to act as marshals and to man course refreshment stands on the day. If you would like to volunteer to help, please call the eXtreme 5 Challenge on 0845 056 8379.

When & Where
Date: Sunday 12 September 2010
Location: Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire, UK

For more information on the event and to sign up visit www.extreme5challenge.co.uk or to make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/extreme5

Contact:
Simon Grint
eXtreme 5 Challenge
0845 056 8379
extreme5challenge@googlemail.com

Join the Chirundu.com Team

I am looking to form at least one Chirundu.com team.

I think initially the “Chirundu.com team” will just compete for fun, with the aim of just finishing. But depending on the amount of interest and the level of those wishing to compete, we could possibly put together more than one team, with one more serious than the other. So If you are interested in taking part and would like to join in or know somebody else who may be interested please contact me, letting me know your level of fitness and preferred event.

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Despite being a small country, Zimbabwe has produced an incredible number of some of the finest athletes and sports stars in the world. But because they come from Zimbabwe, many of them have not received as much recognition as they should. So here is my list some of the best sports personalities that Zimbabwe and Rhodesia has produced over the years:

Cricket

• Andrew Flower - Current England National Coach,He played 63 Test matches for Zimbabwe, scoring 4,794 runs at an average of 51.54 and taking 151 catches and 9 stumpings, and 213 one-day internationals, scoring 6,786 runs at an average of 35.34 and taking 141 catches and 32 stumpings. He holds the Zimbabwean records for the most Test career runs, the highest Test batting average, and most ODI career runs. He is the only Zimbabwean in the ICC’s Top 100 All-time Test Batting rankings at Number 24, putting him in the company of Brian Lara (ranked 19), Sachin Tendulkar (20), Steve Waugh (23) and Rahul Dravid (25 in September 2006).
• Duncan Andrew Gwynne Fletcher OBE – former captain of the Zimbabwean cricket team and former coach of the English cricket team and is largely credited with rejuvenating the fortunes of the then flagging English team, with the team rising from bottom of the Test rankings to second under his tenure as coach.
• Graeme Ashley Hick MBE – Born in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe), he played 65 Test matches and 120 One Day Internationals for England. He scored more than 40,000 first-class runs and he is one of only three players to have passed 20,000 runs in List A cricket (Graham Gooch and Sachin Tendulkar are the others).
• Heath Hilton Streak – Born in Bulawayo, is the only Zimbabwean bowler to have taken over 100 Test wickets and one of only 2 Zimbabwean bowlers to have taken over 100 ODI wickets (the other being Grant Flower). There is little doubt that he is the best bowler to have played for Zimbabwe
• Henry Khaaba Olonga – holds the record for the best bowling in a one-day international by a Zimbabwean, with figures of 6/19 against England at Cape Town in 2000.
• Murray William Goodwin - Born in Salisbury (Harare), played 19 Tests and 71 One Day Internationals for Zimbabwe. He holds the Sussex record for the highest individual innings with 344* against Somerset in 2009, beating his own record of 335* set in 2003

Diving

• Evan Stewart – two medals at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, Gold Medal in the 1m Springboard at the 1994 World Championships in Rome.  He is also the son of former field hockey player Anthea Stewart, who won the gold medal in the women’s competition at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union.

Football / Soccer

• Benjani Mwaruwari -  Zimbabwean footballer who used to play for Portsmouth and who currently plays for Manchester City as a striker. He was born on the 13 August 1978 in Zimbabwe and is the current Zimbabwe national team captain.
• Bruce Grobbelaar – Was actually born in Durban, South Africa but played as goalkeeper for Zimbabwe and also most notably Liverpool F.C. during their dominant period in the 1980s.
• Peter Ndlovu – born on February 25, 1973 in Bulawayo played for Coventry City, Birmingham City, Sheffield United as well as for Zimbabwe.

Golf

• Anthony Alastair Johnstone – Born in Bulawayo, he won six times on the European Tour and finished a career best seventh on the European Tour Order of Merit in 1992. His most prestigious win came at the 1992 British PGA Championship.
• Denis Leslie Watson – Born in Salisbury (Harare) in 1955, finished second in the 1985 U.S. Open, missing out on forcing a playoff by one shot, having incurred a two-stroke penalty earlier in the tournament.
• Mark William McNulty - Born in Bindura and was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1980s to the mid 1990s, and cracked the top 10 of the Official World Golf Rankings for 83 weeks from 1987 to 1992, finished 2nd in the 1990 Open Championship.
• Nicholas Raymond Leige Price -  Professional golfer from Zimbabwe, 3 times a Major winner and an inductee in the World Golf Hall of Fame. In the mid-1990s, Price reached number one in the Official World Golf Rankings. Born 28 January 1957 in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe

Hockey

• Zimbabwean Womens Hockey team – Gold Medal at the Moscow Olympics. Liz Chase provided the pass and Pat McKillop scored the goal to seal a 4-1 victory over Austria as Zimbabwe wrote themselves into the record books as the first winners of the women’s Olympic hockey gold medal.  Team members: Audrey Palmer, Linda Watson, Sue Hugget, Gill Cowley, Sonia Robertson, Sandy Chick, Pat McKillop, Brenda Phillips, Maureen George, Sarah English, Arlene Boxhall, Trish Davies, Chris Prinsloo, Helen Volk, Anthea Stewart, Ann Gran, Liz Chase.

Karate

• Samson Muripo – 2009 world Karate Champion

Motorsport

• James Albert Redman MBE – Six-time World Champion motorcycle road racer and six time Isle of Man TT winner. Awarded the MBE for his achievements, born August 11, 1931 in London, England – Emigrated to Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)
• John Maxwell Lineham Love – He participated in 10 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on December 29, 1962. He achieved 1 podium, and scored a total of 6 championship points. Born in Bulawayo, December 7, 1924 – died April 25, 2005
• Sam Tingle – Racing driver who participated in 5 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, his fist on December 28, 1963. Born in Manchester on August 24, 1921, Emigrated to Zimbabwe (Rhodesia), died December 19, 2008

Rugby

• Adrian Garvey “Turbo Prop” – Played 28 tests for the Springboks during the 1990′s all at Tight-head Prop, scoring 4 tries. He also played for Zimbabwe and won his first cap in the 1991 World Cup. Born 25 June 1968 in Bulawayo, he went to Plumtree School. First Test: 9 Nov 1996 against Argentina at Ferrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires, last Test: 10 Oct 1999 against Spain at Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
• Andy MacDonald (Andrew WilliamMacDonald) – Played 5 Tests for the Springboks during the 1960′s as a Tight-head Prop and played for Rhodesia. Went to Milton High School in Bulawayo. First Springbok Test: 19 Jun 1965 against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Last Test: 18 Sep 1965 against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland
• Ben-Piet van Zyl – Born in Gweru (Gwelo) on 1st Aug 1935, died 10 Mar 1973 (Age 37), played 1 Test for the Springboks as a right winger scoring 2 tries in the 24-8 win over Ireland on the 13 May 1961 in Newlands, Cape Town
• Bobby Skinstad (Robert Brian  Skinstad) -  Born in Bulawayo, played for the Springboks, 42 times, scoring 55 points (11 tries). He also captained the Springboks and played as a flanker and Number eight. Born 3 July 1976 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia
• Brian Mujati -  South African rugby union player who is still playing and now has over 12 Springbok caps. Born in Bulawayo, went to Peterhouse school in Marondera. His first test was on the  7th  Jun 2008 against Wales at Free State Stadium,in Bloemfontein he plays as a prop.
• Chris Rogers – Played 4 tests as a hooker for the Springboks in the 1980′s. Born in Masvingo (Fort Victoria) on 10 Oct 1956, went to Milton High School, Bulawayo. First Test: 2 Jun 1984 against England at EPRFU Stadium (Boet Erasmus), Port Elizabeth. Last Test: 27 Oct 1984  against South America at Newlands, Cape Town
• David Pocock – Currently plays flank for the Australian Wallabies and currently has 6 test caps at the time of writing. Born on the 23rd April 1988 in Messina, South Africa, he emigrated to Zimbabwe. He made his Australian Debut as a substitute against the Barbarians on the 3rd December 2008.
• David Smith – Played 4 tests for the Springboks as a center all against the British Lions in 1980. Born on the 9th Nov 1957 in Bulawayo, he went to Hamilton High School in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)
• Des van Jaarsveldt – He only played 1 test for the Springboks as a flanker, but was captain and he scored 1 try on the 30th Apr 1960  against Scotland at EPRFU Stadium (Boet Erasmus), Port Elizabeth. When he was made captain, the ‘Transvaler’, a newspaper, announced: “It is an evil day for South African rugby when the country has to seek its rugby captain from beyond its borders in a strange land and may be the reason why he never played again. “He also played for Zimbabwe (Rhodesia). Born on the 31st March 1929, he went to Plumtree School, just outside Bulawayo.
• Gary Teichmann -  Zimbabwean born South African rugby union player and was the captain of the South African national team, the Springboks, between 1995 and 1999. He played 42 Tests, scoring  6 tries at number eight (eighthman) . Born 9 January 1967 in Gwelo, Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe. First Test: 2 Sep 1995 against Wales at Ellispark, Johannesburg. Last Test: 10 Jul 1999 against New Zealand at Carisbrook, Dunedin
• Ian Robertson – Played 5 Tests for the Springboks as centre or fullback in the 1970′s. Date of birth: 28 Apr 1950 in Harare (Salisbury), Zimbabwe, he went to Prince Edward School. First Test: 23 Nov 1974  against France at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse. Last Test: 18 Sep 1976, played Full Back against New Zealand at Ellispark, Johannesburg
• Kennedy Tsimba – First capped for Zimbabwe against Ivory Coast in 1998, has played provincial and Currie Cup rugby in South Africa for the Vodacom Blue Bulls and the Free State where he broke the record for the most points scored in a season (228), a feat which earned him the Currie Cup Player of the Year award in 2002
• Leon Greeff – Born March 9, 1975, in Kadoma  – Has played 6 tests for Zimbabwe as a lock/loose forward has made a name for himself playing in the Premiership side, Worcester Warriors, and can also add value to the team.
• Ray Mordt – Born on the 15 Feb 1957  in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe and played for Rhodesia as well as 18 tests on the wing for the Springboks, scoring 12 tries. First Test: 26 Apr 1980 against South America at Wanderers, Johannesburg. Last Test: 27 Oct 1984 against South America at Newlands, Cape Town He went to Churchill High School in Harare.
• Ronnie Hill – Born on 20 Dec 1934in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe and went to Bulawayo Technical High School. Played for Rhodesia and Played 7 tests as a hooker for the Springboks in the 1960′s. First Test: 3 Dec 1960 against Wales at Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff. Last Test: 24 Aug 1963 against Australia at Ellispark, Johannesburg
• Ryk van Schoor – Born in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe (the Rhodesia) and played for Rhodesian and 12 tests for South Africa as a centre scoring 2 tries. First Test 13 Aug 1949 against New Zealand at Ellispark, Johannesburg. Last Test: 26 Sep 1953 against Australia at Crusaders (St George’s Park), Port Elizabeth
• Takudzwa Ngwenya – Plays for the USA (Eagles). He caused a sensation with the ‘Try of the Tournament’ with his run against South Africa’s Brian Habana in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  He can run the 100m dash in 10.5, meaning that he is only slightly slower than Tonderai Chavhanga who played for the Springboks. Born July 22, 1985 and went to Vainona High School in Harare and now plays his club rugby for Biarritz in France.
• Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira – Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player with over 16 Springbok caps (still playing) and who also plays for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. Tendai Mtawarira plays as a prop and is fondly known by friends and fans as “The Beast”. Born 1 August 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe, went to Peterhouse School in Marondera. First Test: 14 Jun 2008 against Wales at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
• Tonderai Chavhanga – Played 4 Tests for the Springboks on the right wing, scoring 6 tries. Born 24 December 1983 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe he went to Prince Edward School in Harare and can run the 100m in 10.27 seconds, a time he achieved when he was just 16. He is possibly is possibly the fastest rugby player in South African rugby history, according to Jake White, the former springbok coach. First Test: 11 Jun 2005 against Uruguay at Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London. Last Test: 14 Jun 2008 against Wales at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
• Tonderai Chiutare – (zim 21 2002, Allenton Rugby Club (New Zealand), mid-canterbury province 2003- current (New Zealand)
• Victor Olonga – former Zimbabwe rugby captain played professional rugby in England for Penzance & Newlyn

Swimming

• Kirsty Leigh Coventry – Zimbabwean swimmer with 2 Olympic gold medals, 4 Silvers and a Bronze from the Athens and Beijing Olympics, 7 World Championship gold medals, 5 silvers and a bronze, 1 Commonwealth games gold medal,  7 All Africa games gold medals and 3 silvers and is also a multi world record holder. Born September 16, 1983 in Harare, Zimbabwe

Tennis

• Cara Black – Professional Tennis player ranked world number 1 in doubles, born in Salisbury (Harare) Zimbabwe in 1979. Winner of five Grand Slam women’s doubles titles in her career: Wimbledon 2004, 2005, and 2007, Australian Open 2007 and US Open 2008. She has won 3 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles in her career, 2 of them partnering with her brother Wayne: the 2002 French Open & the 2004 Wimbledon Championships (they reached the final at the 2004 French Open and they reached the semifinals at the 2003 French Open & 2003 U.S. Open),and the most recent one with Leander Paes of India : 2008 U.S. Open. She also reached the 2000 U.S. Open doubles final with Elena Likhovtseva.
• Byron Black -  Became world no. 1 in doubles in February 1994 and also won the 1994 French Open partnering Jonathan Stark. Black was a doubles finalist in three other majors, the 1994 and 2001 Australian Opens and 1996 Wimbledon.
• Kevin Ullyett – Born in Salisbury (Harare) in 1972,  he has won 24 doubles titles, including the 2001 US Open and the 2005 Australian Open, both with Wayne Black.
• Wayne Black – Won two men’s doubles Grand Slam titles (2001 U.S. Open and 2005 Australian Open) with Kevin Ullyett and two Grand Slam mixed doubles titles (2002 French Open and 2004 Wimbledon) with sister Cara. As a junior Wayne played league tennis for Highlands Sports Club in Harare.

Help me add to this list

I am sure I have missed out a whole bunch of people that should be on this page, please comment below on anyone that you can think of and I will add them.

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Samson Muripo created history becoming the first person from an African country to win the Karate World Championship when he claimed gold in the middle weight Kiyokishini Karate in Osaka Japan.

The remarkable performance in Japan earlier this year means he joins other  Zimbabwean sporting heroes like diver Evan Stewart and swimmer Kirsty Coventry by turning himself into a world champion in his chosen sport.

A third Dan black belt holder, Samson is also the African middleweight champion and the technical director of the Mas Oyama Dojo club at Harare’s Raylton Sports Club.  He beat five other karatekas on his way to winning the world championship. He beat Alberto Santamaria of Spain in the first round and then knocked out Degeniyazov Nurken of Kazakhstan in the next round to proceed to the quarter-finals. In the quarter-finals, he beat Herman Laschak of Germany and suddenly he was just two steps away from the gold. Australian karateka Daniel Fox was the next victim, falling in the semi-finals, to give Muripo the ticket into the final.

In the final he went up against local boy Kikuyama Yasumichi of Japan and, once again, Muripo won the bout to capture the gold medal for Zimbabwe in the middleweight division.

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With England’s recently victory over Australia and thus the taking back of the Ashes, I have decided to look at the coach behind their success and one of Zimbabwe’s best and most loved cricketers.

Andrew Flower
Andrew or “Andy” Flower was actually born in Cape Town, South Africa in 1968, but his family returned to their native Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) when he was 10 years old. It was obvious to his father Bill even at such a young age that he would excel at sports and he spent a lot of time coaching and playing with Andy in their garden, which even to this day Andy attributes the time his father spent with him as largely responsible for his excellent technique. With this solid cricketing background, it wasn’t long before he was playing cricket for his school and then for his local sports club, Old Georgians, at the age of 15.

Andy’s first-class debut was at the age of 18, playing for the ZCU (Zimbabwe Cricket Union) President’s XI against a very strong Young West Indian touring team. It was to be a rather quiet debut but showing great determination for a slow 13, as he resisted traditional West Indian pace from the likes of Eldine Baptiste.

His first century in international one-day cricket came on his official debut against Sri Lanka in the first World Cup match of 1992, a feat which has only been repeated by three other players in history. On this day he opened and managed to bat right through the innings for a magnificent unbeaten 115 and although earning him the Man of the Match award, it sadly did not bring victory for his Zimbabwean team.

People were now taking notice and from the beginning of 2000 for around two years he went through a purple patch and was to become the best player in Zimbabwe’s history and for a time held the rankings as the best batsman in the world and to this day his batting record as a wicketkeeper is unmatched.

Andy announced his retirement from international cricket where he started it, at the World Cup. It was during the 2003 World Cup in a game held in Zimbabwe, he along with a team mate Henry Olonga protested against what they called the “death of democracy” in Zimbabwe which eventually led to both players having to flee Zimbabwe under the cover of darkness for fear of retribution.

Andy Flower then spent a few seasons playing for the English county of Essex with considerable success taking his team to the South Group Twenty20 Semi-finals and Winners Div 1 C&G Trophy and was named as Player of the season. At the age of 38 and the start of the 2007 season he was offered the position as England’s assistant coach which he took a position.

In January 2009 came the removal of Peter Moores as England’s coach he was thrust in charge of the national team. When England crumbled for 51 in Jamaica, Flower’s calm but authoritative response impressed many and his standing improved throughout the tour. He has confronted many challenges in his career, but coaching England will surely rival any of them.

Batting and fielding averages

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The Zimbabwean coach Byron Chivandire said, “They are a very good team (Namibia). We were under no illusion about what they were capable of doing had they got the rhythm. Our plan was to shut them down and leave them with no option to run the ball, run in phases and eventually spread the ball wide.”

Zimbabwen full-back Danny Robertson was also named as the most valuable player of the one-week tournament.

Chivandire urged the organisers to consider revising the format. “Teams need more time to play each other especially at this age. We played only three games and would have loved to play against the other teams for exposure,” he said.

Zimbabwean player, Brendan Chapman said “This was a sweet revenge, for Last years lost to Namibai. We expected it to be a close game and had planned to defend in every department, lock up their forwards and play in the space. Namibia did not give up but exerted pressure upto the last minute. I think they were shocked after we led 17-0. It was also unlucky that their kicker Johan Deysel who had been very accurate in the past matches was not on form today.”

The match was played at a high pace and Zimbabwe barely gave Namibia a chance to settle. Chapman opened the scores in the eighth minute and Farai Mupasiri converted. Zimbabwean lock Schalk Ferreira was yellow-carded by Tunisian referee Bahroun Heykel in the 10th minute but Namibia could not make the numerical advantage count.

Mupasiri who was in a fine kicking form drilled over a drop goal in the 22nd minute to stretch the lead 10-0. Tafadzwa Chitokwindo then scored Zimbabwe’s second try in the 32nd minute and Mupasiri converted for the half time score of 17-0.

In the second half, Namibia were quick off the starting blocks and took only three minutes to make their presence felt when substitute winger Chase Dirgaard broke through to score. A change of kickers saw fly-half Zirk Coetzee slot the conversion from a difficult angle.

It was another seven minutes before Zimbabwe exploded into action and Terrence Kuvarega went over from a good run by the backs. Mupasiri who was in a fine kicking form slotted the conversion.

Schalk Ferreira who had been yellow-carded in the first half then showed surprising speed sprinting past the Namibian backs to score near the post. When Namibian eighth-man Royal Otto was sin binned in the 14th minute of the second half, Mupasiri was on the spot kicking over another penalty to stretch the lead 32-7. Chitokwindo then completed his brace in the 70th minute and Mupasiri converted.

Final score

Namibia 7 Zimbabwe 39 (Half-time: 0-17)

Scorers

Namibia: Tries: Chase Diergaard; Conversion: Zirk Coetzee.
Zimbabwe: Tries: Brendan Chapman, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo (2), Terrence Kuvarega, Schalk Ferreira; Penalties: Farai Mupasiri; Drop goal: Farai Mupasiri; Conversions: Farai Mupasiri (4).

Line ups

Namibia: 15 Johannes Tromp, 14 Richard Ockhuizen, 13 Ashwin Walters (22), 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Russel Van Wyk (21), 10 Zirk Coetzee, 9 Pieter Jansen (20), 8 Royal Otto, 7 Waldo Schaefer (captain), 6 Jaco Wiese, 5 Arne De Klerk, 4 Munee Tjiueza (19), 3 Henk Roets (17), 2 Daniel Van Vuuren (16), 1 Grant Kurz (18); Replacements: 16 Karel Van Heerden, 16 Franklin Bertolini, 18 Gert Henning, 19 Jacob Mare, 20 Pandeni Ueitele, 21 Chase Diergaard, 22 Gift Kamundu.

Zimbabwe: 15 Danny Roberts, 14 Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, 13 Mathew Swales, 12 Johnathan McWade (22), 11 Terrence Kuvarega, 10 Farai Mupasiri, 9 Graham Kaulback (20), 8 Biselele Tshamala, 6 Brendan Chapman (captain), 5 Sasha Halloway, 4 Schalk Ferreira, 3 Richard Sainsbury (18), 2 Tatenda Karuru, 1 Simba Msarurwa (16); Replacements: 16 Tapiwa Rabwi, 17 Brian Makamure, 18 Dimitri Zaverdinos, 19 David Watson, 20 Charles Jiji, 21 Lungile Tshuma, 22 Daniel Turner.

Yellow Cards
Schalk Ferreira (Zimbabwe)
Royal Otto (Namibia)

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Charles Coventry equaled the highest individual one-day international score but could not prevent Zimbabwe losing the series against Bangladesh.

Fourth one-day international, Bulawayo:
Bangladesh 313-8 (47.5 overs) bt Zimbabwe 312-8 (50 overs) by four wickets

Coventry fired an unbeaten 194 from 156 balls to equal the total set by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar in 1997. Coventry fired 16 fours and seven sixes as he equalled Anwar’s feat with his maiden international ton. But with his Zimbabwe side managing 312-8 from their 50 overs, Bangladesh reached 313-6 with 13 balls to spare. The win gives Bangladesh an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with one match still to play.

Video Coverage of Coventry’s unbeaten 194 from 156 balls:

>> Read Full Story

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BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe defeated Bangladesh by 69 runs in the third One-day International at the Queen’s Sports Club on Friday and Hamilton Masakadza hits a maiden one-day century.

Third one-day international, Bulawayo:
Zimbabwe 323-7 (50 overs) bt Bangladesh 254 (44.2 overs) by 69 runs

Masakadza made 102 and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 142 with Brendan Taylor, who was run out for 94. Elton Chigumbura weighed in with five sixes in his unbeaten 61 off 33 balls as the home side totalled 323-7.

Seamer Tawanda Mupariwa and spinner Ray Price then took three wickets each as as Bangladesh were bowled out for 254.

Despite the defeat, Bangladesh lead the series 2-1.

>> Full Report on BBC News

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With Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira rapidly becoming a folk hero amongst Springbok rugby supporters, I thought I would take a look at which other players who are or were from Zimbabwe and have played for South Africa.

Zimbabweans with Springbok Caps

• Adrian Garvey “Turbo Prop” – Played 28 tests for the Springboks during the 1990′s all at Tight-head Prop, scoring 4 tries. He also played for Zimbabwe and won his first cap in the 1991 World Cup. Born 25 June 1968 in Bulawayo, he went to Plumtree School. First Test: 9 Nov 1996 against Argentina at Ferrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires, last Test: 10 Oct 1999 against Spain at Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
• Andy MacDonald (Andrew WilliamMacDonald) – Played 5 Tests for the Springboks during the 1960′s as a Tight-head Prop and played for Rhodesia. Went to Milton High School in Bulawayo. First Springbok Test: 19 Jun 1965 against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Last Test: 18 Sep 1965 against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland
• Ben-Piet van Zyl – Born in Gweru (Gwelo) on 1st Aug 1935, died 10 Mar 1973 (Age 37), played 1 Test for the Springboks as a right winger scoring 2 tries in the 24-8 win over Ireland on the 13 May 1961 in Newlands, Cape Town
• Bobby Skinstad (Robert Brian  Skinstad) -  Born in Bulawayo, played for the Springboks, 42 times, scoring 55 points (11 tries). He also captained the Springboks and played as a flanker and Number eight. Born 3 July 1976 in Bulawayo, Rhodesia
• Brian Mujati -  South African rugby union player who is still playing and now has over 12 Springbok caps. Born in Bulawayo, went to Peterhouse school in Marondera. His first test was on the  7th  Jun 2008 against Wales at Free State Stadium,in Bloemfontein he plays as a prop.
• Chris Rogers – Played 4 tests as a hooker for the Springboks in the 1980′s. Born in Masvingo (Fort Victoria) on 10 Oct 1956, went to Milton High School, Bulawayo. First Test: 2 Jun 1984 against England at EPRFU Stadium (Boet Erasmus), Port Elizabeth. Last Test: 27 Oct 1984  against South America at Newlands, Cape Town
• David Smith – Played 4 tests for the Springboks as a center all against the British Lions in 1980. Born on the 9th Nov 1957 in Bulawayo, he went to Hamilton High School in Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)
• Des van Jaarsveldt – He only played 1 test for the Springboks as a flanker, but was captain and he scored 1 try on the 30th Apr 1960  against Scotland at EPRFU Stadium (Boet Erasmus), Port Elizabeth. When he was made captain, the ‘Transvaler’, a newspaper, announced: “It is an evil day for South African rugby when the country has to seek its rugby captain from beyond its borders in a strange land and may be the reason why he never played again. “He also played for Zimbabwe (Rhodesia). Born on the 31st March 1929, he went to Plumtree School, just outside Bulawayo.
• Gary Teichmann -  Zimbabwean born South African rugby union player and was the captain of the South African national team, the Springboks, between 1995 and 1999. He played 42 Tests, scoring  6 tries at number eight (eighthman) . Born 9 January 1967 in Gwelo, Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe. First Test: 2 Sep 1995 against Wales at Ellispark, Johannesburg. Last Test: 10 Jul 1999 against New Zealand at Carisbrook, Dunedin
• Ian Robertson – Played 5 Tests for the Springboks as centre or fullback in the 1970′s. Date of birth: 28 Apr 1950 in Harare (Salisbury), Zimbabwe, he went to Prince Edward School. First Test: 23 Nov 1974  against France at Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse. Last Test: 18 Sep 1976, played Full Back against New Zealand at Ellispark, Johannesburg
• Ray Mordt – Born on the 15 Feb 1957  in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe and played for Rhodesia as well as 18 tests on the wing for the Springboks, scoring 12 tries. First Test: 26 Apr 1980 against South America at Wanderers, Johannesburg. Last Test: 27 Oct 1984 against South America at Newlands, Cape Town He went to Churchill High School in Harare.
• Ronnie Hill – Born on 20 Dec 1934in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe and went to Bulawayo Technical High School. Played for Rhodesia and Played 7 tests as a hooker for the Springboks in the 1960′s. First Test: 3 Dec 1960 against Wales at Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff. Last Test: 24 Aug 1963 against Australia at Ellispark, Johannesburg
• Ryk van Schoor – Born in South Africa, but emigrated to Zimbabwe (the Rhodesia) and played for Rhodesian and 12 tests for South Africa as a centre scoring 2 tries. First Test 13 Aug 1949 against New Zealand at Ellispark, Johannesburg. Last Test: 26 Sep 1953 against Australia at Crusaders (St George’s Park), Port Elizabeth
• Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira – Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player with over 16 Springbok caps (still playing) and who also plays for the Sharks in the Super 14 competition. Tendai Mtawarira plays as a prop and is fondly known by friends and fans as “The Beast”. Born 1 August 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe, went to Peterhouse School in Marondera. First Test: 14 Jun 2008 against Wales at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.
• Tonderai Chavhanga – Played 4 Tests for the Springboks on the right wing, scoring 6 tries. Born 24 December 1983 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe he went to Prince Edward School in Harare and can run the 100m in 10.27 seconds, a time he achieved when he was just 16. He is possibly is possibly the fastest rugby player in South African rugby history, according to Jake White, the former springbok coach. First Test: 11 Jun 2005 against Uruguay at Basil Kenyon Stadium, East London. Last Test: 14 Jun 2008 against Wales at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria.

Zimbabweans who have played rugby for other countries

• Takudzwa Ngwenya – Plays for the USA (Eagles). He caused a sensation with the ‘Try of the Tournament’ with his run against South Africa’s Brian Habana in the 2007 Rugby World Cup.  He can run the 100m dash in 10.5, meaning that he is only slightly slower than Tonderai Chavhanga who played for the Springboks. Born July 22, 1985 and went to Vainona High School in Harare and now plays his club rugby for Biarritz in France.
• David Pocock – Currently plays flank for the Australian Wallabies and currently has 6 test caps at the time of writing. Born on the 23rd April 1988 in Messina, South Africa, he emigrated to Zimbabwe. He made his Australian Debut as a substitute against the Barbarians on the 3rd December 2008.
• Thom Evans – born 2 April, 1985 in Harare, Zimbabwe is a Scottish international rugby union player. He currently also plays on the wing for Glasgow Warriors in the Magners League.
• Max Evans (born 12 September 1983) is a Scottish rugby union footballer. He plays in the centre for Glasgow Warriors and the Scottish national team. He earned his first cap for Scotland against Canada in November 2008.

Other Notable Players

• Karl Mudzamba – Played or still plays for Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand, I think.
  
• Kennedy Tsimba – First capped for Zimbabwe against Ivory Coast in 1998, has played provincial and Currie Cup rugby in South Africa for the Vodacom Blue Bulls and the Free State where he broke the record for the most points scored in a season (228), a feat which earned him the Currie Cup Player of the Year award in 2002
• Leon Greeff – Born March 9, 1975, in Kadoma  – Has played 6 tests for Zimbabwe as a lock/loose forward has made a name for himself playing in the Premiership side, Worcester Warriors, and can also add value to the team.
• Tonderai Chiutare – (zim 21 2002, Allenton Rugby Club (New Zealand), mid-canterbury province 2003- current (New Zealand)
• Victor Olonga – former Zimbabwe rugby captain played professional rugby in England for Penzance & Newlyn

Help Me Add to this List

I am sure I have missed out many players, so please leave a comment if you know of any others and I will add them.

References:
Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame

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John Maxwell Lineham Love was born in Bulawayo on December 7th, 1924 and sadly recently passed away on April 25th, 2005. Overall he raced in 10 Formula One Grand Prix races during a decade in the sport, with his first on December 29, 1962 and his last race in 1972. He never managed to win a race, although came very close (more about this below), but did get one podium place (2nd), and scored a total of 6 championship points. A very bad accident that resulted in a badly broken arm ruined his chances of racing in Formula 1 full-time.

John first got into motor racing just after World War 2 (WW2), where he served in the Middle East and Italy in an Armour Car Division (where I think he was a Tank driver), he returned to Bulawayo and then from 1947 to 1953, competed in motorcycle races against other Zimbabwean motor cycle racing legends like Ray Amm and future six time world motor cycling champion Jim Redman.

During the 1960′s he was the South African F1 Champion six times. Before racing in F1, he did very well racing for a very famous name in motorsport, in Ken Tyrrell’s Cooper-Austin team in the European Formula Junior firmament.

1967 South African Grand Prix in Kyalami
Probably he most unlucky moment came during the first race of the 1967 F1 GP season, held in South Africa and for the first time at Kyalami, which would help the local drivers like John who had raced on the track before. Because the previous season had ended late, both the Ferrari and McLaren teams decided not to race and many of the other top drivers were still using last years cars. But all the big names of the day were there:

Sir Jack Brabham and Denny Hulme racing for the Brabham that dominated the 1966 title in their BT20, the Repco 3 litre V8. Graham Hill and Jim Clark racing for Lotus, Jochen Rindt and Pedro Rodriguez racing for Cooper in their T81 Maserati V12, John Surtees racing for Honda, Jackie Stewart and Mike Spence racing for BRM in their P83. Other entrants included Dan Gurney, Jo Siffert, Bob Anderson, Jo Bonnier and Piers Courage, plus two other South Africans, Charlton and Luki Botha and the other Zimbabwean to race in formula 1, Sam Tingle.

John would be racing in a vehicle that had never raced in F1 before, the Cooper T79 with a Climax four-cylinder engine. The chassis had actually won the Australian GP at Longford in 1965 as it had been a special built for Bruce McLaren, after which John Love then bought it and had used it to win many local races.

John Love (No.17) in fith place at the start of the 1967 South African GP

Qualifying went well and he started the race in 5th place on the grid, behind Brabham, Hulme, Clark and Rodriguez. Unfortunately he made a poor start and was down to 10th place after the first lap, but some excellent driving and some retirements saw him get up to second place behind Hulme, who almost had a minutes lead, until a break fluid problem forced him to pit on lap 61. So with three quarters of the race done, John Love was in the lead and it was looking good for the man from Bulawayo to taking the chequered flag and his countries first ever win in an Formula 1 race.

Sadly, it was not to be however and with just 7 laps to go, his 2.8-litre four-cylinder Climax engine began to run low on fuel and he had to pit to re-fuel to the complete astonishment of the now very excited crown. Pedro Rodriguez in his Cooper went on to win with John finishing in a career best in second place.

When his racing days were over, he went back to live out the rest of his life in his beloved Bulawayo where he set up and ran a garage and Jaguar dealership and also had his own stock car racing team that competed in the 80′s.

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