Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’s qualification for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup has changed the life of Sables coach Piet Benade in more ways than one.
For one, he is now one of the most recognisable faces in Zimbabwean sport after having achieved a feat that many before him had failed.
The youthful gaffer orchestrated the Sables return to the promised land in an achievement that was 34 years in the making.
He has also been bombarded by many autograph requests and picture opportunities.
“I have had a number of people just come up to me randomly to say ‘well done’ and ‘thank you for what you have done’,” said Benade.
“I also had a stranger insisting to pay for a meal at a restaurant as a thank you.
“It’s been very special to see the effect the Sables performances have had on our people,” he said.
Zimbabwe booked their ticket to Australia for the World Cup back in July after successfully defending their Rugby Africa Cup.
What made the Sables conquest even sweeter was that it came at the expense of perennial rivals Namibia, who they beat 30-28 in the final at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Next up is the draw for the actual World Cup and that will be held in December in Australia.
The draw will feature 24 teams, rather than 20 as was the case since the 1999 World Cup, divided into six pools of four teams.
Perth will host the opening match while the final will be held in Sydney.
The final qualifying tournament takes place in Dubai from November 8 to 18 in the United Arab Emirates.
However, that hasn’t stopped the global rugby community from catching the World Cup fever, with mock and fantasy draws the order of the day.
“With a few teams still to qualify and the rankings still to change before the draw in December, I think the excitement of the tournament has a number of fans guessing what may or may not happen with regards to the draw,” said Benade
“That draw, however, would be actually a good one though it is probably someone just guessing.
“Portugal are okay as an opponent and we will probably have a crack at them.
“Wales are the lowest ranked of the bracket from seven to 13, that is a fair opponent,” he said.
The fantasy draw was not that far-fetched though as it went by the rules and pot system though it would probably be thrown off by the fact that the qualifiers are not yet done.
So far 17 have qualified, and these are two-time defending champions South Africa, France, New Zealand, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Fiji, Australia, England, Argentina, Japan, Georgia, Spain, Portugal, Romania and Zimbabwe.
“With six groups of four teams, we will have the top six teams in the world filling bracket one,” said Benade, in breakdown the how the draw works.
“The next six will go into the second layer.
“What this means is that we will definitely play a team in the top six then a team in the top 12 and another in the top 18.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a massive challenge and honour to share the field against the top sides in World Rugby,” he said.
Still, Benade remains focused on the huge task that lies head, mock draw or not
