ZIMBABWE’S XVs rugby side has put in place an ambitious plan to play friendly matches against South African provincial sides in addition to the lone Test match against Hong Kong, before they defend their Africa Cup title in Madagascar in July. DANIEL NHAKANISO
Realising the stiff competition they are likely to face from the vastly-improved Madagascan side, Kenya and Uganda, the Sables, according to team manager Losson Mtongwiza, are looking to play about five matches before the annual tournament.
In addition to the match against Hong Kong, which is expected to take place in April, the Sables have also engaged South African teams in the Currie Cup First Division and the Vodacom Cup.
Gauteng-based side Falcons, popularly known as Valke, played a match in the country last year and Zimbabwe are expected to return the favour by playing the Currie Cup First Division side at their Kempton Park base.
Zimbabwe are also set to play against Polokwane-based side Polokwane Limpopo Blue Bulls, who will this year play in the North Section of the Vodacom Cup.
“We want to ensure that the team is adequately prepared for the Africa Cup by ensuring that we play at least five matches before the tournament. At the moment we have three matches that have been confirmed.
“There is the match against Hong Kong at home sometime in April and two matches against Valke, who came here last year, and Limpopo who will play in the Vodacom Cup this year.
“We are still to confirm two more matches against either Currie Cup or Vodacom teams, but I can confirm that they will take place sometime in May after the Vodacom Cup,” Mtongwiza said.
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The Sables’ biggest undoing in the past has been their failure to organise preparatory matches before major tournaments which has given the technical department very little time to assess the players.
“We are trying to move away from a scenario where we play international matches without adequate preparations. When we tour South Africa, we are planning to travel with about 35 players, including foreign- based guys who should be on their offseason break by then, which should give the coaches enough time to look at the players before we pick a squad for Madagascar,” Mtongwiza added.
