Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sables will next week travel to South Africa for what coach Piet Benade has labelled the “most important camp.”
In the countdown to next month’s World Rugby Nations Cup kick off.
Benade is drawing closer to naming his traveling party to the United States.
Zimbabwe will play their opening fixtures of the Nations Cup against Tonga and the US on July 4 and 11. They will then wrap up their first round of fixtures with a date against Canada on July 18.
However, before that, the Sables have two important dates coming up – the first being the Stellenbosch camp with the South Africa Under-20 squad. That camp is slated for June 8-13.
Zimbabwe will then wrap up their preparations with a match against South Africa A on June 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
That match will act as a curtain-raiser for the Springboks’ clash against the Barbarians.
It is during this time that Benade is expected to finalise his squad selection as the Sables are expected to depart for the United States on June 28. Overally, Benade appears to be pleased with his charges attitude during the South Africa camps. “There is certainly a lot of excitement about what lies ahead,” said Benade.
“Some exciting new (times) for Zimbabwe Rugby lie ahead and we are thrilled about the challenges and possibilities,” he said.
The ZRU are yet to announce the traveling party to South Africa.
However, early indications point to a lot of new and old faces in the squad.
The July international window is fast approaching and a lot of the foreign-based players are expected to get their releases and start trickling in. And, Benade hopes to have as close to a full squad of his stars available after which he will be closer to picking his team.
“We have spent a lot of time with the home-based squad, which has been good, but now as the international window approaches, we are seeing a few more of the foreign-based Sables becoming available. We are looking forward to integrating everyone again after being apart for 10 months.
“Our first contact with many of the boys will actually be next week at the camp in Stellenbosch.
“So there is a lot to do in a short time.
“However, we are blessed to have this time together to prepare for the Nations Cup,” he said.
Benade appears pleased with the gains of these short camps after having just completed a few training sessions with the Blue Bulls last week.
The team came back home injury-free and better prepared, both mentally and physically, for the challenges that lie ahead.
“We took a nice young squad across to Pretoria and it was an amazing developmental tool to accelerate their growth,” said Benade.
“They learnt a lot after being exposed to professional players and in the best possible environment.
“We were also fortunate to return with no major injury concerns. Now, we are really looking forward to the integration of the new players and seeing the old faces again.”
Mathew Masinge