Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Sables might have failed to secure any competitive Tests ahead of their maiden World Rugby Nations Cup campaign but the senior side have not folded their arms.
Instead, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union’s Interim Committee have organised a couple of training camps and found a substantial replacement.
The ZRU released the Sables’ schedule for the next three months, which will encompass training camps in South Africa with the Blue Bulls and their Under-20 squad.
The first training camp with the Blue Bulls is slated for May 27-30 and Sables coach Piet Benade has already announced his travelling squad, which includes a slew of new additions from the team’s last outing against Zambia.
Among them is the South Africa-based contingent of Godfrey Muzanargwo (Valke), Munashe Mhere (Leopards), Kyle Theron (College Rovers), Munashe Dukuswa (University of Pretoria) and winger Edward Siguake (Emeris).
They are also joined by the Spain-based duo of Bornwell Gwinji (Gernika Rugby Taldea) and Simba Mandioma (CP Les Abelles) while Kelvin Kanenungo (Bahrian Rugby Club) and Bryan Chaing (Brighton Park) also made the list.
Upon the completion of the Blue Bulls camp, the team will return to Stellenbosch for the second camp alongside the South Africa Under-20 squad, which is slated for June 8-13.
This will then lead into their scheduled match against South Africa A side, formerly SA Emerging side, on June 20.
The match against South Africa A is scheduled to act as a curtain-raiser to the Springboks season-opener against the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay.
According to the schedule, the Sables are then expected to leave for the US on June 28, ahead of their Nations Cup opener against Tonga on July 4.
It has been a productive break for the Sables after their back-to-back wins over Zambia, with coach Benade and his men back in full training.
ZRU once again scored big wins at the Annual National Sports Awards, where the Sables, referee Precious Pazani, and Benade won accolades.
The Sables were crowned the Team of the year with Pazani and Benade scooping the Official and Coach gongs.
For Sables assistant coach Ricky Chirengende, the ANSA awards are a huge pat on the back after a hugely successful 2025 for the game.
Now, they want more and Chirengende said the Sables are not short of motivation.
“I think it’s very rewarding when you get recognised for your work,” said Chirengende.
“This is, obviously, off the back of a very successful 2024 and 2025.
“The last two years have been good for us, and we really appreciate the recognition,” he said.
“We just had a couple of tough games against the Zambians, but now we are heading into an even tougher period during the next couple of months.
“We are heading to the Blue Bulls, at the end of the month, then camping in Stellenbosch, which is going to obviously lead us to the big game against South Africa A.
“This will probably be the biggest game that any Zimbabwean team has played in recent years, barring the All Blacks Test,” he said.
The Sables camp have already started looking forward to the match against South Africa, obviously, huge.
However, a good run at the Nations Cup remains the main goal.
The World Rugby Nations Cup sees the 12 unions that qualified for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 competing in a structured environment designed to accelerate competitiveness and create certainty of meaningful annual Test fix-tures with revenue opportunities.
According to World Rugby, the exciting schedule balances geographic spread, player welfare, logistics cost and developmental opportunity, providing fans with clarity, teams with certainty, and unions with commercial opportunities.
North America will play a central role in the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup, with the United States and Canada hosting a combined nine fixtures that showcase the breadth and diversity of emerging rugby nations.
Denver, Charlotte, and Cary will host premium international action, including the global flavoured Tonga against Zimbabwe encounter, which not only highlights rugby’s expanding reach but will also be a Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 Pool F fixture next year.
The Sables open their account on July 4 with a clash against 2027 Rugby World Cup group opponents, Tonga, at Dicks’ Sporting Goods Park Stadium in Denver Colorado.
That match kicks-off at midnight, Zimbabwe time.
On July 11, the Sables play hosts USA at the American Legion Memorial Stadium (01:30am).
Zimbabwe will then move to Canada and play the hosts at the Princess Auto Stadium on July 18 to wrap up the July window Nations Cup fixtures (at 2am).
Zimbabwe squad:
Forwards: Jeff Makoni, Bryan Chaing, Bornwell Gwinji, Vuyani Dlomo, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Zvikomborero Chimoto, Simbarashe Mandioma, Munashe Mhere, Polite Phiri, Aiden Burnett, Liam Larkin, Kelvin Kanenungo, and Godwin Mangenje
Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Brendan Mason, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Godfrey Magaramombe, Kyle Theron, Munashe Dukuswa, Keagan Jourbert, Tapiwa Mafura, Edward Sigauke
