A LOT is at stake for the Zimbabwe Sables when they engage hosts Namibia in the opening match of the Windhoek Draught Tri-Nations Rugby Series at the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek tomorrow night.
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Kick-off is at 8pm. The third team in the tournament is Kenya who will take on the Sables on Tuesday.
The three countries, along with Madagascar, are all part of the Confederation of African Rugby (Car) Pool 1A group of teams that will play the final round of the 2015 Rugby World Cup qualification matches — hence the importance of this tournament.
The winner at the tournament set for June, will join South Africa as African participants in London.
While the tri-nations tournament provides a good opportunity for all the three teams to prepare for the all important Car 1A tournament set for June next year, there is no doubt that Zimbabwe coach Brendan Dawson would also want his side to win to improve the team’s status on the IRB World rankings.
Figures released last week showed that the Sables dropped a place down to position 33 on the rankings.
Then there is also the little matter of revenge for the Sables.
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They lost to Namibia 37-33 when the two teams met at this tournament last year and the Dawson men were also defeated by Kenya in the finals of the Car 1A tournament in July.
“We are going there with the aim of winning both of our matches. This could give us a psychological edge ahead of the World Cup qualifiers. We know our opponents will field strong sides and will have the same mindset as ours. It’s going to be bruising and tough for everyone, but we have prepared well and are ready for the challenge.” Dawson said before leaving for Windhoek.
The reshuffled Sables side left the country yesterday morning and were expected to arrive in Windhoek in the afternoon.
The squad had seen many changes with former captain Costa Dinha falling by the wayside together with other regulars.
For this tournament, Namibia has retained the squad that beat Senegal and Tunisia convincingly in June to be promoted to the Car 1A pool.
Some of the players available for selection are André Schlechter, Jaco Engels, Tinus du Plessis, Rohan Kitshoff, Eugene Jantjies, Darryl de la Harpe, Sergio de la Harpe, Theuns Kotze, Heinrich Smit and Chrysander Botha.
Namibia Rugby Union chief executive officer Sybrand de Beer yesterday told the Namibian Sun that they wanted to keep consistency in the team ahead of the Car 1A tournament.
Sables Touring Party: Props: N Winwood, P Joubert, K Nqindi, Fidel Nyabusha. Hookers: K Murray, R Mwale. Locks: J Ferreira, M Passaportis, M Wolfenden. Back-row: K Lang, F Chipendo, J Leitao (vice-captain), A Rose. Scrumhalves: P Machisa, H Mudariki. Flyhalves: B Rouse, L Tambwera, T Makwanya. Centres: D Hondo, S Moan. Wingers: S Hunduza, G Nechironga. Fullbacks: L Tshuma, T Nemadire.
