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REIGNING Rugby Africa champions Zimbabwe are not leaving anything to chance in their quest to retain the trophy next year and will in November take their preparations to the United Arab Emirates and South Korea.
The Sables will first travel to Dubai for an international friendly match against the UAE national team on November 5 at the Sevens Stadium.
The African champions will then head off to South Korea for an alignment camp, where they will play two matches on November 7 and 15.
Coach Piet Benade has clamoured for more sparring matches for his Sables to ensure they will perfect their combi-nations and secure an assessment platform and such assignments are just part of what he wishes for.
Benade expressed his enthusiasm for the tours.
“We are excited to test ourselves against international opposition and gain valuable match experience.
“These tours will help us prepare for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and showcase our talent on the global stage,” Benade said.
The Sables are eager to end a more than three decades wait to return to the World Cup showpiece.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Losson Mtongwiza and his management have indicated that they will pull the stops to assist the Sables in their ambitions.
“This is a significant milestone for Zimbabwe rugby.
“It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our players and coaching staff.
“We are confident that the Sables will continue to elevate the profile of rugby in Zimbabwe,” Mtongwiza said.
The Sables’ success in the 2024 Africa Cup has given renewed hope that they might just break the jinx and become the first side since the class of 1991 to feature at the World Cup,
Their triumph has also inspired a new generation of young rugby players and attracted increased attention from international teams and competitions.
More Zimbabweans dotted around the globe have also expressed huge interest in becoming part of the Sables.
This should help Benade to have a wide base from which to pick his squad ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup edition.
Next year’s Africa Cup is being used as the continent’s qualifier for the World Cup.
Zimbabwe are keen to keep the momentum they have into that tourney and triumph at the Africa Cup as only the winners get an automatic ticket to join 23 other nations at the 2027 global jamboree in Australia.
But by being the reigning champions, both the ZRU and Benade know that the Sables will be the team to beat in Africa.
The Sables have resultantly upscaled their preparations with the visits to Dubai and South Korea.
As part of their training regime on the local front, the Sables will have a series of preparatory matches against the Junior Sables, Zimbabwe’s Under-20 side.
Those sparring matches will also help coach Shaun De Souza and his Junior Sables, who on their part are looking to reclaim the Barthes Trophy and feature at the Junior World Cup.
Online Reporter