Sables for ‘most important camp’

Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub

ZIMBABWE’S Sables will next week travel to South Africa for what coach Piet Benade has labelled the “most important camp” in the lead-up to next month’s World Rugby Nations Cup kick off.

Benade is drawing closer to naming his travelling party to the US, where Zimbabwe will play their opening fixtures of the Nations Cup against Tonga and the US on July 4 and 11 respectively.

They will then wrap up their first round of fixtures with a date against Canada on July 18.

However, before that, the Sables have two important dates coming up, the first being the Stellenbosch camp with the South Africa Under-20 squad.

That camp is slated for June 8-13.

Zimbabwe will then wrap up their preparations with a match against South Africa A on June 20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

That match will act as a curtain raiser for the Springboks’ clash against the Barbarians.

It is during this time that Benade is expected to finalise his squad selection as the team is expected to depart for the United States on June 28.

Benade appears to be pleased with his charges’ attitude during the South Africa camps.

The lack of competitive game-time against quality opposition has done nothing to dampen the spirits of the Zimbabwe Sables training squad, who have all been putting in the work.

“There is certainly a lot of excitement about what lies ahead.

“Some exciting new waters for Zimbabwe Rugby lie ahead and we are thrilled about the challenges and possibilities,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union are yet to announce the travelling party to South Africa, however, early indications point to a lot of new and old faces in the squad.

The July international window is fast approaching and a lot of the foreign-based players are expected to get their releases and start trickling in.

And Benade hopes to have as close to a full complement of his stars available after which he will be closer to picking his team.

“We have spent a lot of time with the home-based squad, which has been good, but now as the international window approaches we are seeing a few more of the foreign-based Sables becoming available.

“We are looking forward to integrating everyone again after being apart for 10 months.

“Our first contact with many of the boys will actually be next week at the camp in Stellenbosch.

“So, there is a lot to do in a short time.

“However, we are blessed to have this time together to prepare for the Nations Cup”.

Benade appears very pleased with the gains of these short camps after having just completed a few training sessions with the Blue Bulls last week.

The team came back home injury-free and better prepared, both mentally and physically, the challenges that lie ahead.

These include the match against South Africa A and, of course, their opening fixtures of the Nations Cup.