In a meeting held in Harare today, President of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House. The discussion focused on how the continent’s rugby body and the government of Zimbabwe can work together to prepare the national team for the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
The meeting celebrated the Zimbabwe Sables’ remarkable achievement in qualifying for the global tournament for the first time in 34 years. The team secured its place after winning the Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, making Zimbabwe the only African nation to qualify through the regional competition. (South Africa’s Springboks, the four-time world champions, qualify automatically as a top-tier nation.)
The talks highlighted the strong partnership between the government, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, and Rugby Africa. President Mnangagwa’s personal commitment to the team was a key topic.
“I had the honour of meeting His Excellency, and what stood out to me is how much the government here truly cares about the Zimbabwe Sables,” said Mr. Mensah. “That level of commitment from leadership contributes massively to what this team can achieve. This moment belongs to the country and to the young men wearing that jersey. Every Zimbabwean should be proud.”
Mr. Mensah explained that the focus is now on providing the team with the right structure, preparation, and resources to compete at the highest level in Australia.
He praised the government’s strong support for the Sables and discussed the potential for Zimbabwe to host more continental rugby tournaments in the future.
The meeting also covered the wider role governments can play in developing the sport. This includes investing in youth programs, building high-performance training structures, and creating clear pathways for young players to progress to the national team.
Also present at the meeting were Steph Nel, World Rugby’s Senior High Performance Consultant for Africa, and David Gilbert, a former President of Botswana Rugby and current advisor to the President of Rugby Africa.
Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup is a remarkable moment, restoring the country’s place on the world stage. It is a prove to the hard work of the players, the rugby community, and the backing of the government.