The Vultures last played a match in 2019 during the pre-qualifiers for the Rugby World Cup in Ghana.
A lot will be at stake as the test match is for a world-ranking position. World Rugby rankings are calculated using a 'Points Exchange' system, in which sides take points off each other based on the match result.
Whatever one side gains, the other loses. Botswana is in position 74 while Eswatini is placed at position 102. Other African countries above Botswana are South Africa (position four), Namibia (21) and Kenya which moved from position 34 to 33. The Botswana Rugby Union (BRU) president, Sean Irish said the match will go towards the rankings as they are chasing Algeria which is in position 73, with a .04 points ahead. “We would definitely like a win and a 10 or more points margin with four tries scored would give us maximum points,” he said.
Irish said the rain that fell in Gaborone this week, affected preparations. He said they did not have access to the field for training but players in camp have shown commitment, their fitness level is almost there, and they are keen to improve their skills. “Commitment is at 100% and we have injected new players from across the country into the squad. It is a young team and some of the players will be earning their first national team caps. These are the players that we expect to play for the national team for the next three years,” he said.
However, Irish said there is one player who picked a knock during training but they expect him to be fit for the encounter. The women’s 10s team, made up of players from a local team playing in the 10s league, will be the curtain-raiser for the main match.
