Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe Sables received a valuable test against elite opposition after suffering a 40-0 defeat to a strong South Africa A side at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha this Saturday.
The hosts crossed for six tries in a high-tempo encounter, but the scoreline did not fully reflect Zimbabwe’s determination and resilience against a side packed with international experience.
South Africa, currently ranked number one in the World Rugby rankings, fielded a formidable South Africa A squad that included five Springboks and several players competing in the highly competitive United Rugby Championship. The match provided the Sables, ranked 24th in the world, with an important benchmark as they continue their preparations for international competition.
The fixture formed part of Zimbabwe’s preparations for the upcoming World Rugby Nations Cup, where the Sables are set to face higher-ranked opposition, including Tonga (19th), the United States (16th) and Canada (25th).
While the result favoured the hosts, the match offered Zimbabwe crucial exposure to elite-level rugby and highlighted areas for improvement as the Sables continue their quest to close the gap on the world’s leading rugby nations ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
