‘It goes beyond the scoreboard’: Ex-Bok Chavhanga lauds upcoming Sables v SA ‘A’ clash

The following is a verbatim excerpt from a conversation between record-breaking ex-Springbok wing Tonderai Chavhanga and SportsCast founding Editor Enock Muchinjo following confirmation this week of World Cup-bound Zimbabwe’s curtain-raiser match against South Africa ‘A’ for the Springboks versus Barbarians clash on 20 June in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), South Africa.

Tonderai Chavhanga (third from left; front row) as Zimbabwe's assistant coach during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge in Cape Town in 2019.

BY TONDERAI CHAVHANGA

CAPE TOWN - There are defining moments in sport for teams and individuals alike.

Where you are truly tested, where the occasion demands that you prove your worth and show what you are made of.

These are the moments that act as a litmus test of character, preparation, and belief. The upcoming clash between the Sables and the South African ‘A’ side is exactly that kind of moment, one that goes beyond the scoreboard and speaks to the standard, ambition, and direction of Zimbabwean rugby.

For this group of Sables players and coaches, this will be one of the toughest tests of their careers. The South African ‘A’ side is, in many respects, a Springbok 'B' team, filled with players operating at, or just below full international level. To compete against that calibre of opposition is both a serious challenge and an invaluable opportunity.

What is particularly encouraging about the current Sables setup is the balance within the squad. There is a strong blend of experienced players and exciting young talent - individuals who bring both composure and hunger into this environment.

Off the field, the coaching group, led by Piet Benade - someone I had the privilege of playing alongside, provides a solid technical and tactical foundation. Piet is highly astute and detail-driven, and this occasion will not only test the players, but also sharpen the coaches in a high-performance setting.

Beyond the match itself, this fixture is also a reflection of something bigger: the growing support that the Sables are beginning to enjoy from their neighbours in South Africa.

Opportunities like this speak to a belief in the potential of Zimbabwean rugby and offer the kind of exposure needed to prepare for upcoming international challenges against teams such as Tonga, the United States, and others.

But as important as preparation on the field is, we cannot ignore the role of what happens off it. High-performance sport requires more than talent, it requires structure, investment, and consistent backing.

This is where the nation comes in.

Support does not have to be complicated. It starts with showing up, filling the stands, creating energy, and letting the players feel that they are not alone. It continues with viewership, engagement, and pride in the team. And for those in positions of influence, corporates, stakeholders, and government, it means stepping in to provide the financial and structural support that enables proper preparation.

Because at this level, the margins are small. Physical and technical readiness are critical, but the mental side of the game is often what separates good performances from great ones.

Playing in front of a big crowd, on a stage of this magnitude, just before a Springbok fixture, brings a different kind of pressure. It demands composure, belief, and resilience. I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the players rise to that occasion, how they embrace it, and how they grow from it.

For me personally, this moment brings back powerful memories.

I think back to my time at Prince Edward School in Harare, where I had the privilege of being a ball-boy when the President’s XV played against the Sharks. I also remember watching the Sables take on the South African Under-23 side at Harare Sports Club.

Back then, players like Kennedy Tsimba, Victor Olonga, Bedford Chimbima, and Bright Chivandire were heroes to us. Brendan Dawson, who was part of that group of players and later went on to coach the Sables before Piet, was also instrumental in shaping that era (NB: Chavhanga later became Sables assistant coach under head coach Dawson).

Seeing those players go up against opponents I had only watched in Super Rugby made the dream feel real. It inspired me. It pushed me to believe that a young boy from Zimbabwe could one day play at the highest level.

And that is exactly what this current group of Sables players now has in front of them, an opportunity to make that same kind of impact.

This is more than just a match for them. It is a chance to inspire a new generation. Somewhere, a young Zimbabwean will be watching - in the stands or on a screen and seeing what is possible. The way these players carry themselves, the effort they put in, and the pride they show will leave a lasting impression.

That is how legacies are built.

So while the scoreboard will always draw attention at the final whistle, it should not be the only measure of success.

Equally important is the performance itself - the level of commitment, the quality of preparation, and the willingness to rise to the occasion.

If the Sables can walk off that field knowing they have given everything, and that they have matched the demands of the moment mentally, physically, and technically, then they will have taken a significant and meaningful step forward.

This is a defining test.

But more importantly, it is a defining opportunity - for the players, for the coaches, and for Zimbabwean rugby.

Now is the time for the nation to stand behind them.

*Zimbabwean-born Tonderai Chavhanga, who made four appearances for South Africa between 2005 and 2008, scored a record six tries on his Springboks debut during their huge 134-3 victory over Uruguay in East London in June 2005. Chavhanga later had a stint as assistant coach of his native Zimbabwe.