Sables surge to 24th in World rugby rankings after...

Sables surge to 24th in World rugby rankings after historic World Cup qualification

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

The Zimbabwe Sables have etched their names into rugby history, securing a coveted spot at the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup in Australia for the first time since 1991. This momentous achievement comes after a thrilling victory over fierce rivals Namibia in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup final, held at the Mandela National Stadium in Uganda.

The nail-biting continental decider, which saw the Sables triumph with a score of 30-28 over Namibia on July 19th, not only crowned them African champions but also solidified their position as the continent's second-highest-ranked team, trailing only the formidable Springboks of South Africa.

This historic win has propelled Zimbabwe up two spots to 24th in the World Rugby global standings, allowing them to leapfrog both Canada and their recent adversaries, Namibia. The upward trajectory for the Sables underscores the growing strength and determination of Zimbabwean rugby on the international stage.

Conversely, Namibia, who had previously dominated African Rugby World Cup qualifications with seven consecutive appearances, felt the sting of defeat, dropping two places to 27th in the rankings. Despite the loss, Namibia still has a path to the World Cup, as they will face the United Arab Emirates in a cross-regional play-off on July 26th in Uganda, with the winner advancing to a final qualification tournament.

The Rugby Africa Men's Cup proved to be a catalyst for several shifts in the World Rugby rankings for other African nations.

The Kenya Simbas, unfortunately, experienced a slide, dropping two places from 33rd to 35th after their 15-5 loss to Algeria in the third-place playoff. With 50.09 ranking points, the Simbas now find themselves overtaken by both Czechia and Germany, highlighting the competitive nature of the global rankings.

Meanwhile, Algeria emerged as one of the week's biggest movers, making a remarkable 10-place surge to 43rd. This significant jump was fueled by their impressive third-place finish and their second consecutive victory over the Kenya Simbas, demonstrating their growing prowess in African rugby.

Senegal also celebrated a notable improvement, climbing six places to 45th, showcasing their progress within the continental landscape. In contrast, Morocco saw a slight dip, dropping three places to 40th, while tournament hosts Uganda, after finishing seventh in the Rugby Africa Cup, slipped to 50th in the rankings.

The Sables' triumph not only signals a new era for Zimbabwean rugby but also adds an exciting dimension to the African representation at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, promising a compelling display of talent and resilience on the global stage.