Online Reporter
IF a tree falls down in the middle of the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a noise?
Renowned Irish philosopher George Berkeley loved this question because it forces one to decide whether reality exists independently of being perceived, or if “to be is to be perceived.”
Well, that in a nutshell is the predicament that the Zimbabwe Rugby Union currently finds itself in.
Last year, the Zimbabwe Sables did what no Zimbabwean rugby team had done since 1991.
They qualified for the Rugby World Cup, doing so with aplomb as the Sables successfully defended the Africa Cup title for 2024 in Uganda.
It was meant to be a watershed moment, a turning point in the sport’s history and the much-awaited return to the big table of world rugby after the 1987 edition in New Zealand.
It was built up as a turning of the corner and a chance to rebuild a brand that once made Zimbabwe a respected rugby nation.
However, just over 12 months later, very little has changed.
In fact, one would be forgiven for thinking it never happened, were it not for the Sables’ participation at the World Rugby Nations Cup and a couple of visits from World Rugby boss Brett Robinson and Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah.
Never was that more apparent than during the past couple of days, when football and cricket dominated the headlines.
The Zimbabwe Warriors did what they pretty much always do and raised the nation’s expectations high, only to send them tumbling back to reality.
It started with a storied second-half comeback against Sierra Leone, where the Warriors came back from a two-goal deficit to thump the West African nation 3-2 in an AFCON Group E qualifier.
In their second match of the international window and, more importantly, a National Sports Stadium homecoming, the Democratic Republic of Congo beat Zimbabwe 2-1 last Monday, much to the chagrin of the Warriors faithful.
This past Thursday marked exactly a year before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe will co-host alongside neighbours South Africa and Namibia.
And the International Cricket Council held its schedule release.
The Chevrons have been drawn in Pool A alongside defending champions Australia, giants India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Among the major takeaways from the event is the fact that Wanderers Stadium will host the final on November 21, 2027, as well as the grudge match between India and Pakistan.
The newly constructed Mosi-oa-Tunya in Victoria Falls will host the Chevrons’ match against India, a big match for a big venue. They will play Australia at Harare Sports Club on October 15.
Zimbabwe Cricket held a screening event for the function at Harare Sports Club, with many labelling the event a glorified “watch party”. But at least they tried.
The question most rugby fans have been asking is: where is the rugby brand?
Well, for starters, the country’s sevens side slithered into the country during the early hours of Tuesday morning with the Africa Cup trophy, but with no pomp and fanfare.
The Cheetahs had a near-perfect trip to Uganda, where they finished unbeaten and vanquished the hosts 26-19 in the final to lift their first Africa Cup title since 2018.
It was their fourth overall Africa Cup title after wins in the 2000, 2012 and 2018 editions, joining Uganda on four wins.
Kenya remain the most successful nation in the competition with six titles, while South Africa, who do not usually take part due to their sevens ranking, have two tournament wins.
What makes the Cheetahs’ sober return so striking is the fact that success in Uganda means Zimbabwe have earned their way back to HSBC SVNS 3, a huge but hardly celebrated achievement.
And what about the Sables, the country’s top brand and World Cup-bound team?
Well, October 1 marked a year before the Rugby World Cup is due to kick off in Australia.
The day just strolled by with no acknowledgement, celebration, pomp or fanfare.
Granted, Zimbabwe is not co-hosting like in cricket, but the Zimbabwe Rugby Union Interim Management Committee is finding it hard to turn the World Cup qualification into something substantial.
The Sables themselves have been quietly, if not covertly, going about their business ahead of the Nations Cup November window.
The squad will be in action this afternoon at Old Hararians Sports Club, with gaffer Piet Benade pitting his players against each other. The squad has been divided into Sables Green and Red.
Outside of that, there has been little to no visibility of the Sables or ZRU brand.
The simple task of acquiring a Sables replica jersey has become a cumbersome endeavour.
The jerseys are only available in the United Kingdom, specifically in Wakefield, ahead of the Sables’ Nations Cup duels against Samoa and Uruguay next month.
The matches are slated for November 7 and 14.
Zimbabwe will then play their last match against Chile in France on November 21.
But what about the local fan, who dreams of becoming the next Edward Sigauke, Hilton Mudariki, Ian Prior or Kudzi Mashawi?
Well, they will have to wait three to four weeks before the Sables’ authentic Reebok replica jersey is available.
The union has taken the country and sport’s greatest achievement in 34 years and hidden it in a drawer. Contrast this with their counterparts in football and cricket.
When the Warriors qualify for AFCON — or even when they fail — ZIFA still manages to keep them visible.
Replica shirts flood the streets of Mbare, Mufakose, Gweru, Mutare and even Bulawayo, whether official or counterfeit.
Press conferences are held with coach announcements, and sponsorship deals are given the big treatment.
Friendly matches, however chaotic or disappointing, are arranged. And the brand lives on.
Zimbabwe Cricket understands the commercialisation part of the game.
When the Chevrons qualified for the T20 World Cup, within a week there was new merchandise on sale at Harare Sports Club.
The Chevrons have of late been treated to frequent and competitive game time, playing the likes of England last year, New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, India and all-weather friends Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The players have become billboards, with Sikandar Raza’s face on EcoCash ads, while Blessing Muzarabani and Ben Curran are now brand ambassadors for Olivine Industries.
In contrast, the casual rugby fan does not know his Hilton Mudariki from his Edward Sigauke, his Brandon Mudzekenyedzi from his Trevor Gurwe, or his Ian Prior from his Aiden Burnett.
The Nations Cup has become a Godsend, as the Sables have traded clashes against Zambia and Botswana for the likes of Tonga, USA and Canada, Samoa, Uruguay and Chile.
Unfortunately, outside the July and November international windows, the Sables have nothing to show for it.
The planned and proposed match against Germany at the National Sports Stadium has suffered a stillbirth, with the union now exploring games against Namibia and Botswana later this month.
While the Sables prepare to host the two Southern African nations, other World Cup-bound teams are busy prepping and finalising their plans for November.
South Africa recently squared up against the New Zealand All Blacks in a four-match series which the hosts won 3-1.
Even minnows like Portugal have announced a six-Test European winter tour, funded by central World Rugby grants.
Chile, who beat Zimbabwe back in 2022, have based their entire squad in France playing club rugby to stay competitive.
Zimbabwe Rugby are doing none of that.
One cannot go to a World Cup on memory.
Rugby is not football, where you can pick form players two weeks before.
