The Zimbabwe Sables have made history by qualifying for the Rugby World Cup after a 34-year hiatus. The southern African rugby powerhouse secured their spot in the global tournament by narrowly defeating the Namibia Welwitschias 30-28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final, which also served as the continental qualifier.
Namibia, who have qualified for every Rugby World Cup since 1999, took an early lead with a Cliven Loubser penalty in the 3rd minute. However, Zimbabwe's Ian Prior quickly responded with a penalty of his own just three minutes later, setting the stage for a fiercely contested match.
"Namibia are the kings of qualification, so we had to go and do something special to take something away from them," said Zimbabwe coach Piet Benade after the final. The Sables' objective was clear: retain the Rugby Africa Cup title and secure a berth in the World Cup.
According to Benade, this achievement is the result of an 18-month journey that required full commitment from the players, partners, and staff. "To know that we've taken the team to the World Cup is very special for our country. We need to make sure that we leave a legacy for those who will follow us, so that their lives are easier," he added with pride.
The Zimbabwe Sables' victory was not easily earned. In their opening match of the tournament, they faced a strong challenge from Morocco's Atlas Lions, who held them to a 16-5 halftime lead before Zimbabwe eventually won 43-08. This tough encounter prepared the team for the challenges ahead.
"We were very respectful of the Moroccan team. We knew that they would be tough, and they took us up to the 60th minute before we broke them down," Benade recalled, praising their resilience. He also highlighted the semifinal match against Kenya as particularly difficult, noting, "The Kenya semifinal really hardened us; it was the toughest test match we played here."
The final match against Namibia was equally intense, with the last-minute scrum penalty sealing Zimbabwe's victory. Despite the win, Benade expressed deep respect for his opponents: "A lot of respect to them for what they have achieved and what they could still achieve in the repechage qualification game. We are hoping that the African teams are well represented at the Rugby World Cup."
With 26 months to prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia, the Zimbabwe Sables are poised to make their mark on the international stage. Their journey from near misses to qualification is a testament to their dedication and perseverance.
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