Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S Sables could have their work cut out on their return to Hartsfield, with Zambia vowing to turn the tables on their hosts in an international rugby Test on Saturday.
The Sables have dominated their meetings against the Zambians with their latest triumph being a 41-31 win over their neighbours at Harare Sports Club last weekend.
Zambia’s vice-captain Mphatso Mwashi believes the Sables are beatable.
“We are definitely going to win.
“We have to win at all costs . . . it’s been a long time coming.
“If we can just do the basics right, sort out the silly mistakes from the last game and just stick to our plan, then we should be able to pull it off.
“I strongly believe it,’’ Mwashi said.
There is a school of thought that Zambia came out of the last encounter the happier of the two camps.
While Zimbabwe emerged triumphant, the Zambians believe that there were a lot of positives, which they can build on from the loss.
“I think we didn’t fire on all cylinders,” chipped in Zambia captain Ali Bhika.
“In the forwards department, we did fairly well but the back-line did not show up.
“We made a lot of silly errors there, and Zimbabwe punished us.
“We did show the potential to be venomous in the forwards but we were a bit short-handed and clumsy in the back-line.
“It is here where Zimbabwe showed us their class,” he said.
The match itself lived up to its billing as both teams gave as much as they received, going pound for pound and try for try.
Since last Saturday’s game, the Zambians have been reviewing the encounter and feel they can upstage the Sables this time.
They, however, would have to withstand the noise of the Sables fans, who came out in full voice at a sold-out Harare Sports Club, and could repeat the feat at Hartsfield.
Zambia’s Bhika, was also born in Zimbabwe and attended Churchill High School during his formative years.
He is also well-accustomed to this weekend’s venue — Hartsfield — and he has reportedly been sharing his knowledge and expertise with his teammates in hope of settling their nerves ahead of the match.
“Bulawayo has a very big rugby community.
“It’s going to be louder than it was over the weekend.
“We did a little research and conducted our own investigations.
“On the grounds themselves, it’s quite a wide turf, and we know Zimbabwe like running rugby.
“They like the quick game and we know we will have our hands full.
“We need to slow down that ball and can’t allow Zimbabwe to have a free-flowing game as that plays into their hands.
“So in terms of physicality, the contact area and the breakdown, we know that we need to clamp down.
“Going to Bulawayo, I think those are some of the focus areas where we need to, at least, control,” Bhika said.
Mwishi also reckoned that continuity could be the key factor in helping Zambia prevail.
“If you check our team list, during the last four or five years, it’s almost the same names.
“We have been together as a country for a long time now and played Zimbabwe countless times.
“Before, I think, stage fright was our biggest weakness.
“So, we would have new caps in the team, and they would hear these stories of how it was to play in Harare.
“Even when the youngsters came into the team, they would be scared.
“That narrative has changed now, and we don’t have those nerves anymore when we are playing against the Sables.
“Zimbabwe has become a second home to us, the country has been a good rugby nation to us.
“You have been a good friend, always calling on us to come and play.
“Now, all we feel is pride that you have let us join you in you World Cup journey,” Mwishi said.
