The ManicaPost
Ngoni Dapira
ZIMBABWE’s senior rugby side, the Sables, will on Sunday face-off a tough Kenya side in a must-win encounter for them to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup to be held in England.
The Sables last-minute 24-20 defeat to Namibia on Wednesday in Antananarivo cost them dearly and now puts them under pressure against Kenya, which has been flawless so far at the ongoing Confederation of African Rugby Division 1A tournament in Madagascar.
The tournament also serves as the qualifiers for the 2015 RWC.
Kenya beat Namibia 29-22 in the tournament opener last Saturday and on Wednesday trounced the hosts 34-0 to send a loud announcement that they mean business.
The Sables — on the other hand — started off on a thunderous note after crushing Madagascar 57-22 in the first match, only to disappointingly give away the game to Namibia in the last minutes of game time after impressively leading throughout the match.
Zimbabwe Rugby Union marketing consultant David Crouch said there was still hope for the Sables if they win by more than seven points against Kenya.
“Obviously it is sad that the Sables gave away the match in the last minutes of the match, but their performance against Namibia is reassuring that they can defeat Kenya.
“We need to win by more than seven points (one try) against Kenya to secure a place.
“Namibia on the other hand has to defeat Madagascar and win by more than 42 points to beat either Zimbabwe or Kenya.
“This is a tricky position for the Sables, but I am confident the boys know the high stakes involved and will give it their best against Kenya and make the nation proud,” said Crouch.
The winner of the CAR division 1A tournament will automatically qualify for the 2015 edition of the IRB RWC in Group C comprising New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Georgia.
However, in the event the Sables come out as the runners-up they will face Russia for a place in the play-off finals for the slot of the additional team.
Zimbabwe’s return on the international rugby map has been a long and weary journey with many obstacles.
Zimbabwe has played at the RWC twice during the inaugural World Cup in 1987 upon invite and in 1991 after winning the African Cup qualifiers.
Ever since 1991 the Sables have had no chance to qualify for the international rugby showcase held in every four years, but now stand a step away from making their comeback at the 2015 RWC.
Although Kenya defeated Zimbabwe 29-17 in the CAR Division 1 final last year this year’s tournament has a bigger incentive (World Cup qualifiers) for the Sables.
There will definitely be a pulsating showdown on Sunday and captain Daniel Hondo will no doubt have a daunting task to lead his team to victory and make history on Sunday.
Sables Squad:
F. Mudariki, J. Ferreira, S. Ferreira, L. Groenewald, P. Joubert, G. Lawler, J. Leitao, M. Mandioma, K. Murray, D. Mutamangira, N. Ndlovu, K. Nqindi, S. Sibanda, H. Mudariki, L. Tambwera. T. Chitokwindo, D. Hondo, T. Nemadire, S. Hunduza, D. Robertson, R. O’Neill, G. Sibanda, L. Cleminson, G. Cronje, K. Lang, P. Du Toit.
