SABLES head coach Pieter Benade has extended profound gratitude to the South African Rugby Union (Saru) for facilitating a historic encounter against the South Africa “A” side, a match he views as a vital launching pad ahead of next month’s World Rugby Nations Cup.
The high-profile clash takes place tomorrow at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, serving as a blockbuster curtain-raiser for the main event between the Springboks and the Barbarians.
For Zimbabwe, the fixture represents the beginning of a crucial development cycle.
The Sables are using the match to prepare for the Nations Cup in the United States and Canada, where they face Tonga in Denver on July 4 and in Charlotte in the United States on July 11, and in Winnipeg, Canada, on July 18.
This demanding schedule marks the start of a monumental period for the African nation, who have qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 36 years and will compete in Australia next year.
Speaking ahead of the historic match, Benade praised Saru for providing the team with elite-level opposition.
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“One big challenge is always contact time together with our players coming from all over the world. So, being able to pick many of the same players from the last two Africa Cup tournaments for the Springboks ‘A’ tie certainly helps us reintegrate,” Benade said.
“We thank the South African Rugby Union for assisting us with this fixture and providing us with invaluable preparation for the Nations Cup.”
While Benade has picked a strong 30-man training squad for tomorrow’s tie — blending domestic and international talent from Zimbabwe, South Africa, France, Spain and the United Kingdom — he is already looking to bolster his options for the subsequent Nations Cup.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the head coach revealed that he hopes to welcome back several high-profile stars who were unavailable this weekend due to external commitments.
These include veteran fly-half Ian Prior, utility forward Godfrey Muzanargwo, wing Matthew McNab and first-choice number eight Jason Fraser.
Also expected to join the squad for the Nations Cup is destructive tighthead prop Cleopas Kundiona. The Falcon College alumnus currently plies his trade in the English Premiership with the Northampton Saints.
Reflecting on how tomorrow’s match serves the broader selection process, Benade noted:
“For the Nations Cup, we are hoping to get players like Kundiona, Muzanargwo, Fraser, Prior, and McNab who can bolster the squad and add depth. But this week provides a massive opportunity for those on the ground here now.”
“While there are long and short-term goals in terms of our time together, there is a lot of motivation to represent our country in a positive way. It is a huge responsibility for the group and one that they all understand.”
Tomorrow’s festival of rugby kicks off at 12pm, followed by the Springboks taking on the Barbarians at 3pm, with both matches broadcast live on SuperSport.
The Sables’ training squad features exciting talent, including headline inclusions such as Aiden Burnett, Bornwell Gwinji, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Bruce Houston, Dale Lemon, Hilton Mudariki, Tinotenda Mavesere and Tapiwa Mafura.
A major talking point is the inclusion of uncapped Stormers lock Gary Porter, who qualifies through his Bulawayo-born mother and brings a massive 115kg frame to the second row.
They face a dangerous, physical South Africa “A” lineup assembled by Rassie Erasmus and coach Mzwandile Stick.
Captained by Vincent Tshituka, the South African side features World Cup-winning experience in senior centre Lukhanyo Am, alongside emerging powerhouse prospects.
Despite the daunting task, Benade believes the occasion is exactly what his players need to transition into the professional sphere.
“We are looking at this challenge as an opportunity to grow and learn against a top-quality side,” Benade emphasised.
“Many of our players are not professional players, but have earned this amazing opportunity to show their talents on a great platform.
“We had a good week in Stellenbosch getting a lot of the boys together for the first time in 10 months. The energy has been good as we try to reintegrate the group again.”
South Africa “A” coach Stick has already warned his charges not to take the Sables lightly, praising Zimbabwe’s coaching structures and noting that the qualified World Cup contenders will throw everything at his side.