Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema-Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE Sables’ all-weather friend Delta Beverages yesterday held a luncheon to celebrate Zimbabwe’s successful defence of the Rugby Africa Cup with the brewing giants committing to the partnership looks set to continue beyond the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
By virtue of winning the Rugby Africa Cup last month, Zimbabwe booked their ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
It was a historic performance in Uganda by the Sables that saw them break a 34-year wait to return to the global stage.
With Delta associating with them through their Sable beer, the company and the national team have struck a fruitful relationship between the Zimbabwe rugby team and Delta Beverage through their Sable brand.
“We are certainly very proud of the achievements by the Sables and their qualification to the Rugby World Cup,” said Delta Beverages’ marketing director, Irimayi Muzorewa.
“It has been a long journey and we have supported them through and through, and It is really now about us continuing with that support to make sure that the team does make it through to the final and hopefully win and lift the trophy in Australia.
“The journey was difficult and experienced its ups and down but now we are here and Zimbabwe is going to the Rugby World Cup.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the team, the players and technical department, and I cannot stress that enough,” he said.
Muzorewa underscored Delta Beverages’ commitment, through their Sable brand, to continuing this relationship not just to the 2027 Rugby World but beyond.
He, however, could not be drawn into divulging any figures as the matter is still to be discussed between his company and the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
“There can never be an end,” he said in reference to the relationship between the two parties.
“After this World Cup (2027), there is going to be another and then another one.
“So, it is really about us continuing to nurture the sport, nurture the talent, develop the sport a whole lot further and make sure that we are performing at our highest level at any competition.
“This doesn’t matter if the competition is regional, continental or even games at the global stage. It is really just part of the journey.”
His sentiments were greeted by cheer and aplomb by the Zimbabwe Sables camp who were represented by manager Tichafara Makwanya, skipper Hilton Mudariki and a handful of players and technical department.
“It is obviously a good thing when good deeds and achievements get recognised, people appreciating your hard work,” Makwanya.
“People sometimes want to be associated with success but, as you know, these guys (Delta) have been backing us since 2022 when they launched their Sable Lager.
“Now, some years after they are still here with us, still backing us and we hope the relationship continues to flow and grow.
“Hopefully, many more generations of players and administrators can benefit from this relationship as we continue to improve, win more games and make history,” he said.
Makwanya, a long serving servant, is one of the few still trying to come to grips with Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualification.
During his playing days, Makwanya was involved in countless battles in the Sables’ failed World Cup qualification campaigns.
Now, he has reached the promised land.
And the fact that he is going to the global showcase as part of the technical team has done nothing to take away the moment.
“It really hasn’t sunk in,” he said.
“For me and some of the guys, it’s only now starting to sink in.
“The guys are sort of just realising the amount of work needed to be able to make the cut and perform to a reasonable standard at the World Cup. It has been all too surreal,” he said.
“We will probably sit down, maybe in the next week or two, and map our way forward.
“We obviously can’t sit and relax for too long as we have got a huge target on our backs and we need to keep performing.
“We also have got goals that we need to reach over the next couple of months.
“I think the biggest thing for me is always just being able to be part of the setup and being able to contribute to the players’ performance on the park.
“We do a lot of work in the background to make sure the guys are prepped, ready and they have got everything that they need.
“So, I also just take a bit of glory from their performance in the park as well.
