Sables shift focus to South Korea

THE Zimbabwe men’s national rugby team, the Sables, has shifted its focus to South Korea for a training camp ahead of a test match scheduled for November 16.

The team departed the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday for Seoul, where they will remain until November 18, concluding their Middle East-Asia tour.

This trip follows an impressive performance against the UAE on Tuesday evening at the Victory Sevens Stadium in Dubai, where the Sables secured a dominant 62-22 victory. Youngster Edward Sigauke was the stand-out player, scoring a hat-trick and making a significant impact on the match.

The Sables showcased a comprehensive team display, with team captain Hilton Mudariki also contributing two tries. Zimbabwe asserted their dominance early, with veteran fly-half Ian Prior opening the scoring with a penalty in the first few minutes.

The forwards quickly established control, leading to a penalty try in the 10th minute due to repeated infringements from the UAE.

Godfrey Muzanarwgo added another try, benefiting from a slick assist by debutant Munashe Mhere, further emphasising Zimbabwe’s fluid attacking play. Mudariki, marking his 49th cap for Zimbabwe, scored next, demonstrating his leadership by powering over the line under pressure.

Sigauke’s hat-trick showcased his finishing ability, with each try highlighting his pace and timing as he exploited gaps in the UAE defence. The Sables continued their scoring spree with Trevor Gurwe and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi adding to the tally, ensuring a complete display of dominance.

After the match, Mudariki praised the team’s performance and the support from the crowd, which made them feel at home. He noted that the new players gelled seamlessly with the team, highlighting the contributions of debutants Mhere, Jovan Bekker, Bryan Chiang, and Kyle Godwin.

“We are very grateful to the crowd that came to support us. We didn’t expect to feel like the home team, but the energy here was incredible. Things worked out very well for us today, especially with the new guys fitting in seamlessly. It was a fantastic all-round performance,” said Mudariki.

The Sables’ clinical play and the impressive debut performances signal a promising future for Zimbabwean rugby as they prepare for their upcoming test match in South Korea.

In the match against the UAE, Zimbabwe-born Connor Kennedy started at fullback for the hosts. Kennedy had previously played for the Goshawks and aimed to complete his stand-down period to become eligible for Zimbabwe. However, after the Sables missed out on qualifying for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, he returned to Dubai, where he has become a key player for the UAE in their recent Asia Cup campaign. – @brandon_malvin