Sables begin end of year tour preps

THE Zimbabwe National Seniors Men’s Rugby Team, the Sables, have officially kicked off their camp ahead of their much-anticipated end-of-year tour to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Korea in November.

Locally based players have begun preparations in Harare, with the foreign-based contingent set to join later this week.

This tour marks a significant opportunity for the Sables as they face tough international competition in matches against the UAE and South Korea.

The Piet Benade led Sables technical team will be faced with the challenging task of selecting a final travelling squad from a pool of talented players.

The camp has seen stiff competition, with seasoned veterans, emerging talent, and returning players all vying for a spot in the starting lineup. Coach Benade and his team are working hard to ensure the best possible squad is assembled for the tour.

Sables captain, Hilton Mudariki, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tour and the return to camp. Mudariki also spoke about the intense competition within the camp, with several key positions being hotly contested.

“It’s good to be back in camp. I think there’s huge excitement around the end-of-year tour. We get to travel to new countries, experience different conditions and the guys can’t wait to go.

“I think it’s very good. Competition always brings out the best in all of us. The more headaches we can give the coach, the better. It’s great for the Sables if we keep pushing each other, especially over the next couple of weeks as guys fight for positions,” said Mudariki.

The Africa Cup winning skipper said they have been studying both the UAE and South Korea to gain a tactical edge. He added that there will be more video sessions of their opponents.

“We’ve been doing our homework, watching the games they’ve been playing. As more guys join the camp, we’ll start to have more video sessions, and the coaches will identify key areas of strength and weakness,” he said.

In the build up to the tour, the Sables have engaged in a series of competitive matches featuring locally based players against provincial teams, as well as against the High Performance Centre U20 side.

Last Saturday, Zimbabwe A triumphed over the U20s with a 76-17 victory at Harare Sports Club. A rematch is scheduled for this weekend. Mudariki emphasised the importance of these preparatory games.

“We want these games to remain competitive and we know the quality that the U20s bring. For us, it’s about rectifying mistakes and perfecting our game plan. We want to be as sharp as possible before heading into the tour,” he said.

The Sables captain also encouraged fans to continue their strong support, noting the energy they bring to the games.

“We always appreciate the fans who come out to support us. It definitely goes a long way, and we encourage even more fans to come this weekend. It’s exciting times for Zimbabwean rugby,” said Mudariki.

The final squad for the end-of-year tour is expected to be announced later this week.
— @brandon_malvin