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ZIMBABWE-born lock, Darrien-Lane Landsberg, who plays for South Africa Rugby Union (SARU) franchise Lions, is believed to have received offers to play for the Sables.
However, he is keen on representing the Springboks instead.
As per the online publication Sports Cast, Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) have approached the 26-year-old with the hopes of bolstering the team but have not been lucky.
It is believed the Harare-born player believes that after a successful season with the Lions in the Currie Cup — which saw them reach the 2024 finals — he stands a chance of being called up into the Rassie Erasmus mentored South Africa side.
“He has been spoken to by Zimbabwe’s coaching staff, but he is still trying to make the Springboks. At present, he is even more confident of Boks selection because he had a very good Currie Cup season,” SportsCast is quoted.
Zimbabwe are looking at beefing up their squad for next year’s Africa Cup which serves as the direct qualifier to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. It will be their first appearance at the global show-piece since 1991.
The Sables are high in confidence having won the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda in July. At the tournament, Piet Benade mentored Zimbabwe teams and received a boost in the fly-half, Ian Prior also traced back his roots to his birth country. Prior is a former Australia Under-20.
A number of Zimbabwe-born players have been on the ZRU radar including the likes of Eli Snyman of Italian side Benetton.
The 28-year-old Snyman is reportedly eager to return home to finally play Test rugby. Other players on the Sables radar include one capped Australia centre, Kyle Godwin, alongside another one capped All Blacks lose forward Gareth Evans.
Prior believes having players of Zimbabwe descent returning to the country will play a huge role in helping the Sables make history and qualify for the global show-piece.
“I have played with Kyle for a number of years over here (in Australia), I was in the force with him, and he is a quality human and a really class player. As far as I am aware, he is keen (on playing for Zimbabwe), and hopefully with the results we have got anyone who is eligible and interested will see there is some real potential to be able to create some history and try and qualify for the first World Cup finals since 1991.
“We’ve always tried to punch above our weight in Zimbabwe and I guess it makes it more appealing for guys that may be on the fence to see that we are on the right path, we have had a bit of success and the right people in the bus — both from a player point of view and a coaching and administration point of view,” said Prior in August.
At Lions, Landsberg plays alongside Sables star fullback Tapiwa Mafura, who was instrumental in Zimbabwe’s Africa Cup win.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe A is set to face Manicaland Select at Harare Sports Club tomorrow afternoon.
Online Reporter