HARARE, Apr. 14 (NewsDay Live) – The Zimbabwe men’s rugby team, the Sables, are set to face South Africa’s Springboks ‘A’ side on June 20 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in a high-profile mid-year encounter.
The fixture, which will serve as a curtain-raiser, presents Zimbabwe with a crucial test against a world-class rugby system as they continue preparations for upcoming international assignments.
The match is expected to offer a strong measure of the Sables’ progress as they build towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, with the technical team viewing it as an opportunity to gauge their competitiveness against elite opposition.
Head coach Pieter Benade highlighted the importance of the encounter, stressing that such matches are vital in raising the team’s standards.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to test ourselves against one of the world’s top rugby nations and a truly elite system. It’s a challenge we embrace and one that promises to push our standards to another level,” said Benade.
“Experiences like this are invaluable.”
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus believes the match will benefit both teams as they fine-tune their respective squads.
“The match between the SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe will serve as a fantastic opportunity for both sides to achieve some of their objectives with the Rugby World Cup in mind. From a South African perspective, we have seen the benefits of having an SA ‘A’ team playing against quality opposition,” said Erasmus.
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The Sables head into the contest buoyed by their recent success on the continent, having secured qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup following a narrow 30–28 victory over Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final held in Uganda last year.
That triumph marked a significant milestone for Zimbabwean rugby, ending a 36-year absence from the global showpiece, with their last appearance dating back to 1991.
With momentum on their side, the clash against the Springboks ‘A’ side will provide a valuable platform for the Sables to test their depth, sharpen combinations, and gain exposure against one of the strongest rugby nations in the world.
