THE Zimbabwe Senior Men Fifteens National Rugby Team, the Sables, has begun an intense training camp in Harare in preparation for their highly anticipated end-of-year tour to Dubai and South Korea.
Locally based players will soon be joined by the foreign-based contingent, setting the stage for an exciting competition for spots on the final traveling squad for the November games.
Team Captain Hilton Mudariki expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming tour.
“It’s good to be back in camp. There’s a huge excitement surrounding the end-of-year tour,” explained Mudariki.
“Travelling to new countries and experiencing different conditions, and the guys can’t wait to go.”
The Sables will face stiff international competition in matches against the United Arab Emirates and South Korea. Coach Pieter Benade and his team are working diligently to assemble the best possible squad for the tour.
Mudariki pointed out that the camp has featured intense competition, with seasoned veterans, emerging talent, and returning players all vying for a spot in the starting lineup.
“It’s very good. Competition brings out the best in all of us. The more challenges we can present to the coach, the better,” he said.
“It’s great for the Sables if we continue pushing each other, especially over the next couple of weeks as players fight for positions.”
The Sables have been studying their opponents and analysing games to gain a tactical edge. Mudariki emphasised the importance of their preparatory matches.
“We want these games to remain competitive, and we recognise the quality that the U20s bring. For us, it’s about rectifying mistakes and perfecting our game plan,” added Mudariki.
“We want to be as sharp as possible before heading into the tour.”
Last Saturday, Zimbabwe A clobbered the High-Performance Centre U20 team 76-17 at Harare Sports Club, and a rematch is scheduled for this weekend. Mudariki encouraged fans to continue their strong support.
“We always appreciate the fans who come out to support us. It means a lot, and we encourage even more fans to come this weekend,” said the Skipper.
“These are exciting times for Zimbabwean rugby.”
With the final squad expected to be announced later this week, all eyes are on the Sables as they prepare for their end-of-year tour.
