Online Reporter
THE clash between the Zimbabwe Sables and South Africa A is fast shaping up to be quite enthralling encounter as the two respective rugby coaches, Piet Benade and Mzwandile Stick, appear to have employed vastly different approaches to the encounter.
As the continent’s sole representatives at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, the global rugby community will definitely be glued to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Saturday.
The Springboks, World Cup defending champions, play their season opener against the Barbarians with the match between Zimbabwe and South Africa A being the curtain raiser.
Stick took the bold decision to name his starting XV well ahead of time with Benade making everyone wait until the 11th hour. It is believed that Benade will finally release his starting XV some time tonight. He has a 26-man training squad, largely made of foreign-based players, from which to pick his XV.
“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.
“We are looking at this challenge as an opportunity to grow and learn against a top, quality side.
“Many of our players are not professional players but have earned this amazing opportunity to show their talents on a great platform,” Benade said.
Benade has revealed his glee at finally getting most of the players he wanted together as a group and has been using this opportunity to fine-tune his preparations ahead of Saturday’s match.
“One big challenge is always contact time together with our players coming from all over the world,” he said.
“So being able to pick many of the same players from the last two Africa cup tournaments certainly helps us reintegrate.
“We thank South African Rugby union for assisting us with this fixture and providing us with valuable preparation for the nations cup.
“For the Nations Cup next month, we are hoping to get more players to come in.
“We are targeting players like Cleopas Kundiona, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Ian Prior and Matthew McNab, who can bolster the squad and add depth.
“However, this weekend’s fixture provides a massive opportunity for those on the ground to show us what they can do,” he said. Stick, who will double up as the Springboks assistant coach for their encounter with the Barbarians on his part named an exciting South Africa ‘A’ team which includes five Springboks for their clash against Zimbabwe.
South Africa A team:
15. Luan Giliomee, 14. Jaco Williams, 13. Markus Muller, 12. Lukhanyo Am, 11. Zekhethelo Siyaya, 10. Yaqeen Ahmed, 9. Haashim Pead, 8. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Bathobele Hlekani, 6. Emmanuel Tshituka, 5. Ruben van Heerden, 4. Vincent Tshituka (c), 3. Neethling Fouche, 2. Siphosethu Mnebelele, 1. Boan Venter
Replacements: 16.Liam van Wyk, 17. Oliver Reid, 18. Hanro Jacobs, 19. Adre Smith, 20. Siba Mahashe, 21. Nico Steyn, 22. Imad Khan, 23. Jurenzo Julius — Planetrugby.com/Zimpapers Sports Hub
