The Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) has unveiled a blockbuster, high-intensity schedule for the Sables, charting a demanding course that culminates in a mouth-watering Nations Cup campaign in the United States this July.
Head coach Pieter Benade’s charges are set for a rigorous combination of elite training camps and high-profile fixtures designed to test the squad’s depth and readiness for the global stage.
The Sables’ preparations kick off later this month with a grueling training camp against South African rugby powerhouse, the Vodacom Blue Bulls, from May 27 to 30.
This will be swiftly followed by an intensive high-performance block at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) from June 8 to 13, where Zimbabwe will train alongside the South Africa Under-20 team.
However, the crown jewel of the domestic calendar arrives on June 20, when the Sables host a formidable South Africa 'A' side.
This blockbuster fixture is expected to serve as the ultimate litmus test for Zimbabwe’s genuine continental standing, coming on the backdrop of their recent recognition as the Annual National Sports Awards (ANSA) Team of the Year.
Following the South Africa 'A' clash, attention shifts to the global arena. The Sables are scheduled to depart for the United States on June 28 for the Nations Cup, where three daunting Tier 2 opponents await them across three consecutive weekends.
Zimbabwe will launch their campaign against physical powerhouse Tonga on July 4, before squaring off against host nation USA on July 11. They will wrap up their grueling tour against Canada on July 18.
- Zimbabwe step up bid to host Currie Cup matches
- ZRU boss Jani lands key Rugby Africa post
- ZRU grateful to Nedbank support
- Zim primed to host 7’s Olympics Qualifier
Keep Reading
Testing themselves against such established international rugby nations makes this potentially the most significant and high-profile overseas campaign in recent Zimbabwean rugby history.
For Benade and his ANSA award-winning squad, the upcoming weeks present a definitive opportunity to convert continental admiration into tangible results on the world stage.
