Sables continue to assemble mini-machine for World Cup qualifiers

STAFF WRITER

Rassie Erasmus, the genius South African coach who has presided over the Springboks’ last two consecutive World Cup glory – once as head coach and the other as director of rugby – is pulling out all the stops for a third title in a row.

Some two to three years before the next World Cup, in Australia in 2027, Erasmus has already given hint about the players he will likely take Down Under in pursuit of an incredible third World Cup on the trot.

Last week, 52-year-old Erasmus unveiled a 56-man squad for an alignment camp in Cape Town, exclusively domestic-based players, in what should form the basis of who plays for the Springboks hereon, leading to the defence of their World Cup title in 2027.

I surveyed Rassie’s 56-man squad, which consists of 16 uncapped players. One very good player was missing of the 16 newcomers: the very outstanding Darrien Landsberg of Johannesburg side Lions.

Zimbabwean Landsberg has been fancying his chances of playing for the Springboks, and for a very good reason. But it’s clear he isn’t in the picture, from the make-up of Erasmus’ 56. Out of the 16 uncapped players, nine are forwards, four of them being Landsberg’s fellow big men up-front from Lions.

It doesn’t however make Landsberg a bad player at all. Far from it.

Besides leaving his hometown Harare at a very young age – growing up in the South African schools system – 26-year-old Landsberg has established himself in South African first-class rugby. He is a consistent feature in Lions’ engine room in the Currie Cup and United Rugby Championship.

Zimbabwe, his country of birth, desperately wants players of Landsberg’s quality for their defence of the Africa Cup in Uganda in July. That tournament will be a qualification event for the 2027 World Cup, meaning that if Zimbabwe retains their title, the Sables will qualify for their first World Cup since 1991!

Is the Springbok “snub” a blessing in disguise for Zimbabwe? Will Landsberg, at long last, consider an international career in the colours of his native Zimbabwe, following in the footsteps of his Lions teammate Tapiwa Mafura?

This will be just what the doctor ordered for Zimbabwe, for serious reinforcements are badly needed in that department.

Another potential newcomer to the side, among the locks, is the Italy-based former South Africa Under-20 enforcer Ely Snyman. The 29-year-old from Harare, who turns out for Benetton in the Italian top-flight league, is a well-travelled player who will bring his bags of experience from the Bulls in South Africa and from English Premiership side Leicester Tigers. It is said that Snyman has been keen of playing Test rugby if called up by Italy, his adopted home. But at the ripe age of 29 with stiff competition around him in Italy, the offer play for his native Zimbabwe could be his best opportunity to go to the World Cup.

Credit must be given where it’s due, not a lot of people gave them a chance – but the local-based trio of Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, David Makamba and Simba Siraha were rock solid for Zimbabwe last year in the second row when the Sables lifted the Africa Cup title and finished the season with a 100 percent Test win record in five games.

However, the engine room needs quality back-up to finish off games strongly, an area the Sables often struggled especially against their old rivals Namibia.

Apart from the need for a back-up flyhalf, it looks like much of the strengthening by Zimbabwe is required upfront. Loose forward resources have always been in great amount of supply for Zimbabwe and indeed this current Sables side is without exception. But just like with the locks, the front-row must also be beefed up, especially on the bench, for the purpose of finishing it off comfortably. The props Victor Mupunga and Cleopas Kundiona as well as hooker Simba Mandioma and the replacement number 2 Liam Larkan made a huge impression last year. Pumas tight-head Munashe Mhere joined for the Sables’ end-of-year tour of the UAE and South Korea in November but didn’t exactly hit the ground running. Another 22-year-old tight-head in Stormers’ Vernon Mhere could be a massive addition to the Sables if he answers the call.