New Brighton’s Stick in charge of SA A team for Gqeberha clash

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Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick will register another significant milestone in his distinguished coaching career when he returns home to Gqeberha next week as head coach of the SA A team to face Zimbabwe.

New Brighton-born Stick, who played a major role in the Boks’ back-to-back World Cup rugby wins, will relish this opportunity to mentor SA’s next generation of stars at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kickoff 12.00pm).

After starring for EP in provincial rugby, Stick embarked on a glittering career with the Blitzboks before being called up to the Springbok coaching panel. He is currently in Johannesburg at a Bok training camp and is expected to name his SA A team early next week after arriving in Gqeberha. The match will be played as a curtain-raiser to the clash between the Springboks and Barbarians (kickoff 3pm).

To ensure they are battle-ready to take on a powerful SA A team in Gqeberha on June 20, the Zimbabwe Sables have named a squad of 26 players for training camps to be held in conjunction with the Blue Bulls and Junior Boks in May and June. The SA A clash will be a curtain-raiser (kickoff 12.00) for the main game between the Springboks and Barbarians, which is expected to attract a capacity 46,000 crowd to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kickoff 3pm). Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is expected to name his SA A squad to face the Zimbabweans and a group to face the BaaBaas within the next two weeks. “We’re very excited to see the rest of our wider squad in action in a proper match when the SA A team take on the Sables from Zimbabwe,” Erasmus said. “They have qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup and I’m sure it will be a great match.” The SA A clash is an important building block for Zimbabwe ahead of their participation in the 2027 World Cup in Australia. The first Zimbabwe training camp with the Bulls is set for May 27-30 and Sables coach Piet Benade has already announced his travelling squad, which includes many new additions from the team’s last outing against Zambia. Among them are the SA-based contingent of Godfrey Muzanargwo (Valke), Munashe Mhere (Leopards), Kyle Theron (College Rovers), Munashe Dukuswa (University of Pretoria) and winger Edward Siguake (Emeris). They are also joined by the Spain-based duo of Bornwell Gwinji (Gernika Rugby Taldea) and Simba Mandioma (CP Les Abelles) while Kelvin Kanungo (Bahrain Rugby Club) and Bryan Chiang (Brighton Park) also made the list. On completion of the Blue Bulls camp, the team move to Stellenbosch for the second camp alongside the Junior Boks from June 8-13. This will then lead into their scheduled match against SA A side in Gqeberha. The Sables are then expected to leave for the US on June 28, ahead of their Nations Cup opener against Tonga on July 4. It has been a productive break for the Sables after their back-to-back wins over Zambia, with coach Benade and his squad back in full training. Rugby shone at Zimbabwe’s Annual National Sports Awards, where the Sables, referee Precious Pazani and Benade won accolades. The Sables were crowned the team of the year, with Pazani and Benade scooping the official and coach awards. For Sables assistant coach Ricky Chirengende, the awards are a huge pat on the back after a hugely successful 2025 for the game. “I think it’s very rewarding when you get recognised for your work,” Chirengende said. “This is, obviously, off the back of a very successful 2024 and 2025. The last two years have been good for us, and we really appreciate the recognition. “We just had a couple of tough games against the Zambians, but now we are heading into an even tougher period during the next couple of months. “We are heading to the Blue Bulls, at the end of the month, then camping in Stellenbosch, which is going to obviously lead us to the big game against South Africa A,” Chirengende said. “This will probably be the biggest game that any Zimbabwean team has played in recent years,” he said. The Sables camp have set their sights on the match against SA A, and they are also targeting a good run at the Nations Cup. The World Rugby Nations Cup sees the 12 unions that qualified for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 competing in a structured environment designed to accelerate competitiveness. Zimbabwe squad: Forwards: Jeff Makoni, Bryan Chaing, Bornwell Gwinji, Vuyani Dlomo, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Zvikomborero Chimoto, Simbarashe Mandioma, Munashe Mhere, Polite Phiri, Aiden Burnett, Liam Larkin, Kelvin Kanenungo and Godwin Mangenje. Backs: Hilton Mudariki, Brendan Mason, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrel Makwasha, Trevor Gurwe, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Godfrey Magaramombe, Kyle Theron, Munashe Dukuswa, Keagan Jourbert, Tapiwa Mafura and Edward Sigauke. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

It will be the first time an SA A-side has taken to the field since 2022, when they faced the Bristol Bears and Munster in November 2022 during an end-of-season tour.

Ruben van Heerden has been called up to the Springbok squad and joined the team in Johannesburg on Wednesday. The 28-year-old former Junior Springbok lock, who has been a central figure in the Stormers pack in the United Rugby Championship this season, will replace Salmaan Moerat, who has been released from camp due to injury.

Van Heerden earned his 50^th cap for the Stormers this season, while he also represented the Bulls, Sharks, and Exeter Chiefs earlier in his career.

Phepsi Buthelezi and Carlu Sadie, who were called up to the squad on Monday, meanwhile, have already reported for duty.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union are expected to announce a Sables squad early next week as preparations gather momentum ahead of the high-profile clash. The Sables are currently in SA for the final phase of their Stellenbosch training camp, where coach Piet Benade is assessing players before naming his final squad for both the SA A match and the World Rugby Nations Cup.

Indications are that the core of the squad selected for the SA A fixture could largely remain intact for the Nations Cup, with only a few changes expected.

Zimbabwe faces a demanding schedule in the coming weeks, with the Stellenbosch camp giving Benade an important opportunity to work closely with foreign-based players who have now become available following club commitments in Europe and South Africa.

There is a palpable sense of excitement among players on the training pitch as the Springboks gear up for their first outing of the season against a star-studded Barbarians outfit in Gqeberha on June 20, coach Rassie Erasmus says. A squad of 51 players, including many uncapped young guns, assembled in Johannesburg on Monday to start preparing for matches against the Barbarians and Zimbabwe in a double header at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. In addition to the initial squad, Phepsi Buthelezi (loose forward) and Carlu Sadie (prop) have been called and will join the camp in the next two days, along with the Stormers players following their return from Ireland, where they played in the URC semifinal over the weekend. The highly rated Buthelezi made his Test debut against Portugal in 2024. The Stormers players arrived in camp on Monday and Buthelezi, who plays for the Sharks, reported for duty that evening. Sadie, a former Junior Springbok who joined the virtual Springbok alignment camps from France, where he plays for European champions Bordeaux Begles, will arrive in Johannesburg on Wednesday. “It’s great to be back on the field and to see familiar and new faces in the squad,” Erasmus said. “The excitement in the group to get the season under way is palpable, and we are looking forward to the week ahead. We are also pleased to welcome Phepsi and Carlu to the squad, and we are confident they will slot in with ease.” There was an emphasis on youth when the Springboks named a 51-man squad, featuring 21 uncapped players, for the Gqeberha double-header. With the Bulls players unavailable for selection after booking their place in the United Rugby Championship final against Leinster, Erasmus selected several junior players in his squad. Among the crop of rising stars is KuGompo City’s Sibabalwe Mahashe, who has impressed while playing for the Lions. The extended group includes SA U-20 players Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf/centre), Danie Kruger (prop), Luan Giliomee (utility back), Vusi Moyo (flyhalf), Oliver Reid (prop), and Liam van Wyk (hooker), Junior Springbok captain Riley Norton (loose forward/lock), Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker), Markus Muller (centre) and Zekhethelo Siyaya (utility back), all of whom were members of the expanded Springbok alignment camp squad. Other uncapped players in the group are Paul de Villiers (flanker), Bathobele Hlekani (utility forward), Hanro Jacobs (prop), Jurenzo Julius (utility back), Imad Khan (scrumhalf), JJ Kotze (hooker), Mahashe (loose forward), Haashim Pead, Nico Steyn (both scrumhalves), Emmanuel Tshituka (flanker) and Jaco Williams (utility back). The Boks’ Japan-based players who have completed their club commitments will join their teammates from the outset of the camp, while the UK-based players will report for duty once their season officially concludes in line with World Rugby’s regulation 9. Erasmus said he is looking forward to seeing how the younger players adapted to the demands of senior international rugby. The Springbok squad for the opening leg of the Nations Championship against England, Scotland and Wales will be announced on June 21. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Zimbabwe Rugby Union interim management committee general manager Takunda “TJ” Chifokoyo said the national team was entering a crucial stage of preparations, with major selection decisions expected soon.

“We are very much relieved that most of our top-tier talents’ schedules have started to free, particularly those in Europe and South Africa, as you can see from the players called in,” he said.

“It is a huge positive to have some of our top and new guys in camp, as it allows coach Benade a chance to have a look at them before making his final squad selection.”

Scotland’s SA-born wing Duhan van der Merwe, New Zealand’s TJ Perenara and Australia’s Andrew Kellaway are among the first batch of Barbarians players named to play the Springboks in Gqeberha on June 20. The composite Barbarians will be facing the world champions in front of an expected capacity 46,000 crowd at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (kickoff 3pm). The clash is part of a double-header which also features a showdown between an SA A team and Zimbabwe as a curtain-raiser (kickoff noon). Van der Merwe, a former Junior Springbok wing who has played for Scotland and the British & Irish Lions, will wear a Barbarians jersey for the first time. He will be joined on the tour to SA by fellow Scotland squad players D’Arcy Rae and Liam McConnell. All three have been selected in collaboration with Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend to ensure they have game time before they return to SA to face the Boks in the Nations Championship match at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 11. Perenara, a former All Blacks vice-captain, will bring 89 Tests worth of experience, flair and attacking instincts to the Barbarians squad. Wallabies speedster Kellaway, who has 49 caps for Australia, will be joined in the backline by Argentine flyhalf Tomas Albornoz and Uruguay scrumhalf Santiago Arata. Further squad announcements are expected soon. “I can’t wait to join up with the Barbarians this summer,” Van der Merwe said. “It is a massive honour and opportunity to represent them. “This is something I’ve always wanted to be part of so to get this opportunity is massive. “The Barbarians are a rugby institution, and we have some tough Tests coming. “To play for them against the world champions will be a massive challenge and one I’m really looking forward to.” Any perceptions that the international season opener might be a low-key affair were kicked into touch when joint coach Felipe Contepomi said the Baabaas wanted to erase memories of the 2025 clash between the teams when the Boks ran out runaway 54-7 winners in Cape Town. Contepomi, who is coaching alongside Scott Robertson, Patrice Collazo and Kenny Lynn, said the Baabaas wanted to be much more competitive in Gqeberha than had been the case in Cape Town. “To hear that Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is taking it as seriously as a Test match is the best way for us to prepare,” he said. “Facing South Africa is a big, big challenge, and I’m really looking forward to it.” Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

The training squad currently camped in SA reflects Benade’s focus on strengthening the team with foreign-based talent and assessing new combinations ahead of an important international season.

Only eight locally based players made the training squad: Jeff Makoni, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Aiden Burnett, Brendan Mason, Tatenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi, Darrell Makwasha and Trevor Gurwe.

Several new faces have also been included in the camp, among them:

• Tude Visser;
• Dale Lemon of Hartpury in the UK;
• Gary Porter of the DHL Stormers;
• Daniel Cooke of Chinnor RFC in the UK; and
• Bruce Houston of USBPA Rugby in France.

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