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Zimbabwe's shot at SA team for RWC 2027 prep

By @rugby365com
Thursday 12 Mar 2026

NEWS: In a historic first, the South African ‘A’ team will host the Zimbabwe Sables in a curtain raiser fixture in 2026.

The SA ‘A’ team and Zimbabwe Sables will square off at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha ahead of the Springboks’ international friendly against the Barbarians on June 20.

The news was confirmed by the president of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, on Tuesday via the social media platform X.

The Barbarians clash, as the case was last year, will open the Boks’ international season.

The fixture between the SA ‘A’ side and the Sables provides a great opportunity for the visitors to test their depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

It will also be a great test for the South African players involved to impress Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus.

Mensah said that he hopes that the fixture will mark a rebirth for Zimbabwean rugby.

The article continues below…

“There’s nothing more important than preparing something special, and today [Thursday] is something special,” Mensah said.

He added: “We want to see tournaments such as the Victoria Cup and Nations Cup matches in Zimbabwe.

“We hope that the Police Ground will be refurbished and that we’ll get the investment in the Sables for their salaries and match preparation.

“Before the Springboks v Barbarians match in June, the Sables will be playing the South African ‘A’ team in South Africa – it has never happened before.

“The fact that we’ve been able to negotiate for Zimbabwe’s home matches to be in England has never happened before.

“Yes, maybe it should’ve been in Africa, but there’s a revenue base that might make sense.

“I’m hoping this becomes a rebirth – a [new] beginning [for Zimbabwean rugby].”

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