The Sunday Mail
Deputy Sports Editor
SABLES’ coach Brendan Dawson and his technical team have plenty to be thankful for.
The future could not have been any brighter.
Not only will the Africa Cup be held in France mid-next year, World Rugby have also organised a quadrangular tournament for some of the participating teams.
Next month’s tourney – set to feature Kenya, Namibia, Brazil and Zimbabwe in Stellenbosch, South Africa – will provide the Sables with the much-needed sparring partners after a lengthy period of inactivity.
The tournament, which is slated for November 12 to November 20, has been organised by World Rugby to prepare Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe for the 2022 Rugby Africa Cup, which will double as the 2023 Rugby World Cup qualifiers.
World Rugby’s move has undoubtedly excited the Sables camp.
“We are quite excited about the tournament (quadrangular),” said Sables’ manager Jason Maritz.
“At one stage we didn’t think we would be able to get some game time before the year ends.
“However, thanks to World Rugby and Rugby Africa, we have managed to organise this schedule in Stellenbosch,” he said.
Things are certainly looking up.
The Stellenbosch tournament presents two realities that many did not think possible a couple of weeks ago.
On one hand, the Sables will get the opportunity to test their mettle against strong sides in Brazil and a toss-up between rivals and possible Africa Cup opponents – Namibia and Kenya.
It also provides a chance for a reality check that is quite different from the Zambia and Burkina Faso match-ups that the Sables undertook earlier this year.
There is also the possibility of playing in front of a huge crowd for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the game.
This will either be in South Africa next month or France next year.
In Stellenbosch, the tournament kicks off at the semi-final stage with Zimbabwe and Brazil squaring up, while Namibia and Kenya lock horns.
Both games will be played on November 14.
The winners will then meet in the final, while the losers match up for placement on November 20.
“In Stellenbosch, we will get the opportunity to play Brazil, which is a different opposition to that we are used to,” said Maritz.
“They (Brazil) are ranked 26th in the world and it gives us an opportunity to play a team a couple of rungs above us.
“This will definitely test our mettle.
“Kenya and Namibia are old foes of ours and we relish every opportunity to play either one of those sides.
“We are very happy with that and we are very happy to get some game time,” he said.
At the quadrangular tournament, Namibia, at 25th position, is the highest-ranked African country outside South Africa, followed by Zimbabwe (34) and Kenya (35).
Brazil are rated the 26th best side.
Maritz also reckons that playing the Africa Cup in France could see them feature in front of huge crowds.
“I don’t have a problem with the tournament being played in France.
“The World Cup is going to be played in France and it is potentially good preparations for us.
“It’s a neutral venue and I think it’s fair for all teams involved.
“Rugby Africa have their reasons for that decision and we respect and support that.
“We had planned to base our team in France for a couple of weeks before the tournament, and it might just make life easier for certain players who are based there in France.
“Those in Europe will be able to finish their seasons before joining camp.
“It will be great to have fans at the games, whether that happens in Stellenbosch or France.
“It will be good to get some form of normality back, and we look forward to the challenge.”
The Sables team manager said their camp would begin on November 1, with coach Dawson expected to name his squad in the next couple of days.
Dawson, who featured for the Sables as a player at the World Cup in 1991, is hoping to also write his own piece of history by returning to the ultimate rugby stage as coach of his country.
