Although aware of the impending World Cup fixtures, there is still so much love among the countries that they have agreed to stage the Tri-Nations Series with another one pencilled-in for Kenya in January, before the World Cup qualifiers in April.
Coach Brendon Dawson said he would use the Tri-Nations Series to try new combinations and assess some of the foreign-based players he has not yet seen in action. Coming after the end of the Lion Lager National Rugby League, the series will give Dawson an opportunity to have his team in camp for as long as finances permit.
The Sables play the hosts on November 8 and wind up their group campaign with a tie against the formidable Kenyans eight days later. Kenya beat Zimbabwe at the Confederation of African Rugby Africa Cup in Madagascar earlier this year, while Namibia have always been invincible against The Sables in World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya are one of the rising forces of world rugby, their sevens side being among the best in the world, where it is ranked in the top 10 on the HSBC Series. Some of their players feature for the national team.
The winners of the Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia, and Madagascar World Cup qualifying group will qualify for the finals to be held in England where they have been drawn in the same group with New Zealand, Argentina and Tonga, and a qualifier from Europe.
The runners up from the Africa group will get another chance for qualification as they will take part in the play offs against teams from Europe. Zimbabwe have not qualified for the World Cup since 1991.
Post published in: Sport