Philemon Jambaya- Zim Now Editor
The Zimbabwe Sables are on the verge of a potentially historic achievement as they head to Uganda to defend their Rugby Africa Cup title.
With the sole automatic qualification spot for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia up for grabs, the Sables are determined to end their 34-year World Cup drought — a dry spell stretching back to 1991.
The highly anticipated eight-nation tournament, a collaborative effort between Rugby Africa and the Uganda Rugby Union, kickd off today and runs until July 19 at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
As defending champions — having lifted the trophy at the same venue last year — Zimbabwe enters the competition as a strong favourite.
Sables coach Piet Benade unveiled a formidable squad on Tuesday, largely retaining the core of the 2024 championship-winning team. The return of influential players such as speedster Matthew McNab, the gritty Jason Fraser, and kicking stalwart Lenience Tambwera significantly bolsters the team's depth and experience.
Sponsored by Nedbank Zimbabwe and Alliance Health Zimbabwe, the team is set to depart Harare tomorrow morning for Kampala. Their preparations have been meticulous, commencing immediately after their 2024 triumph.
This included an impressive tour of the Middle East and Asia at the close of last year, where they secured confidence-boosting wins over the UAE and South Korea — further enhancing their cohesion.
Player Confidence and Game-by-Game Focus
Ian Prior, the Australia-based halfback and a key figure in the squad, exuded confidence and highlighted the team’s dedication.
“I am excited. The boys have been putting in the work, they’ve been working really hard, and there is a good vibe around here,” Prior said.
He emphasized the importance of a game-by-game approach, especially with their opening quarterfinal clash against Morocco looming on July 8.
“You have to take it game by game. If you look too far ahead, you lose focus on the moment,” he added.
Captain Hilton Mudariki echoed Prior’s sentiments, acknowledging the immense opportunity while stressing the need for unwavering focus.
“This is a golden ticket opportunity for Zimbabwean rugby, but we’re not getting ahead of ourselves. Due to the nature of the Africa Cup, every game is a final,” Mudariki stated. “The only way to reach the top is by staying grounded, sticking to our systems, and respecting every opponent.”
Zimbabwe will open their campaign with a quarterfinal showdown against Morocco on July 8. Should they advance, they will face the winner of the match between hosts Uganda and Kenya in the semifinals on July 13. Other nations participating in this high-stakes tournament include Algeria, Namibia, Senegal, and Côte d’Ivoire.
The ultimate prize for the tournament champions is direct qualification for the Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027, scheduled from October 1 to November 13.
While the runner-up will still have a lifeline through a global repechage tournament, Coach Benade and his Sables are laser-focused on securing that coveted automatic qualification ticket — and bringing an end to over three decades of World Cup absence.
Patience Muchemwa - Senior ReporterThe 2025 Chinese Bridge Competition Finals took place at the University of Zimbabwe, bringing together students, teachers, and guests for a vibrant celebration of ..
ZimbabweRussian has launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine's second-largest city, the mayor of Kharkiv has said, killing at least three and injuring a further 21.Ihor Terekhov said that overnight Russia..
ZimbabweOscar J Jeke - ZimNow ReporterBotswana’s state-owned diamond producer, Debswana Diamond Company, has temporarily suspended production at several of its mining operations due to plunging global diamo..
Zimbabwe
Leave Comments