Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE year 2025 has been nothing short of a roller-coaster in Zimbabwean sport, a tale of two extremes played out on contrasting fields. With the curtain already drawn on international assignments for both rugby and cricket, the fortunes of these two codes could not have been more different.
The Sables soared to dizzying heights, scripting a story of triumph and resilience. Their crowning glory came with victory in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, making it back-to-back continental titles after lifting the trophy in 2024. That July triumph in Uganda was more than silverware — it sealed their ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, marking a return to the global stage after a 30-year absence. For Zimbabwean rugby, this was history reborn.
Now ranked second on the continent behind the mighty Springboks, the Sables’ rise is no fluke. It is the product of consistency, discipline, and a system that works. Under Pieter Benade’s astute guidance, the team delivered a flawless campaign. They opened the year with back-to-back wins over Zambia in May — an emphatic 70-15 demolition at home followed by a gritty 25-19 triumph away. Sandwiched between those clashes was an 80-12 rout of Botswana at Harare Sports Club. Then came the Africa Cup: a 43-8 mauling of Morocco, a tense 29-23 victory over Kenya, and finally, a nail-biting 30-28 win over Namibia in the grand finale. Back-to-back Africa Cup champions, World Cup qualification secured — the Sables fought for the green and white stripe with honour and heart.
Yet, while the scoreboard told a story of perfection, off-field turbulence threatened to steal the headlines. In September, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) suspended the Zimbabwe Rugby union (ZRU) executive board and committee from all rugby administration. A week later, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was installed, chaired by business executive Paddy Zhanda (Junior) and tasked with steering the ship for a year. Joining him were banker Latifa Kassim, sports scientist and former youth coach Garette Crabbe, lawyer Wellington Magaya, and technical expert Godwin Murambiwa. Their mandate? Review the ZRU constitution and pave the way for elections within 18 months. Despite the boardroom drama, ZRU ensured the Sables’ preparations remained intact — and the results spoke louder than any scandal.
Cricket, however, told a different tale — a year riddled with inconsistency and frustration. While the Sables marched forward, the Chevrons stumbled, despite playing a record number of Tests. Across all three formats, Justin Sammons’ men flattered to deceive. In ODIs, they barely featured — just five matches all year. A 2-1 series win over Ireland offered brief respite before a 2-0 whitewash at the hands of Sri Lanka. But it was in Tests and T20Is where the real drama unfolded.
Selection controversies lingered like a stubborn shadow. Decisions often smacked of loyalty over logic, with under-performing players handed lifelines while deserving talent languished. Where ZRU showed unity and vision, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) appeared fractured, mired in blame-shifting and short-term fixes. The Sables proved that systems breed success; ZC, by contrast, seemed allergic to accountability. Integrity and merit must become their mantra — only then will results follow.
The Chevrons’ Test journey was a patchwork of highs and crushing lows. They began by losing a two-match series to Afghanistan 1-0, drawing the historic Boxing Day Test in December 2024 before falling in the New Year’s Day clash.
A one-off Test against Ireland ended in defeat. Then came a flicker of hope in Bangladesh – a three-wicket win in the first Test, only for the Tigers to roar back with an innings-and-106-run thrashing to square the series. What followed was a grim procession of heavy losses to England, South Africa, and New Zealand. Redemption arrived late, with a commanding innings-and-73-run victory over Afghanistan in their final Test of the year.
Even in T20Is, the Chevrons faltered – until the very end. After a year of despair, they capped 2025 with a flawless campaign at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier, sweeping all before them to book a ticket to next year’s global showpiece in India and Sri Lanka. A glimmer of hope, perhaps, but one that barely masks a season of squandered potential.
As 2025 fades into history, the contrast is stark. The Sables are conquering hearts, bringing pride and joy. The Chevrons? They bring only shame. Rugby has shown the way – structure, discipline, and belief. Cricket must follow suit, or risk sinking deeper into mediocrity. For now, the scoreboard tells the story: one code rising, the other floundering. And as the New Year beckons, the question lingers – will the Chevrons finally learn, or will 2026 be yet another year of excuses?
