Rassie Erasmus praises Sables: Zimbabwe have ‘quality players’

Zimbabwe (in white and green) have been preparing in Stellenbosch with South Africa Under-20.

BY SPORTSCAST WRITER

HARARE – Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has hailed Zimbabwe as a “quality” rugby team ahead of the Sables’ clash with a South Africa ‘A’ side in Port Elizabeth next weekend.

The Zimbabweans and the second-string South Africa side will curtain-raise the Boks’ match against the Barbarians on 20 June.

Revered World Cup-winning coach Erasmus has shown his regard for the Zimbabweans by assigning his Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick to take charge of SA ‘A’ against the neighbours.

“We have the same objectives for the Barbarians and SA ‘A’ games, and those are to get some players comfortable in the set-up and afford others valuable game time, and also to implement some of the aspects of the game we have been working on,” Erasmus told the SARugby website on Thursday.

“Both the Barbarians and Zimbabwe are sides one cannot analyse much, and both teams will have quality players. The Sables are also going to the World Cup next year, so it will be a good challenge.”

The 2027 World Cup-bound Zimbabweans are currently involved in a training camp in the Western Cape with the South Africa Under-20 team, in preparation of the match in Port Elizabeth against the next generation of Springboks.

                               SABLES SQUAD IN SA

Forwards: Victor Mupunga, Tjde Visser, Jeff Makoni, Simba Mandioma, Liam Larkan, Bryan Chiang, Farai Mudariki, Bornwell Gwinji, Michael Kumbirai, Dale Lemon, Gary Porter, Tino Mavesere, Dan Cooke, Dylan Utete, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Simba Siraha, Aiden Burnett.

Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Keegan Joubert, Tyrone Gombe, Bruce Houston, Brendan Mason, Ed Sigauke, Tatenda Kumubvumbi, Kudzi Mashawi, Dion Khumalo, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Darrel Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Tapiwa Mafura, Martin Mangongo.