WHEN the Sables made their gallant return to the National Sports Stadium since 1998, some 28 odd year ago, something shifted with Zimbabwean rugby.
It was not just that the Sables vanquished an old foe and one of their fiercest rivals in Namibia. It was where and how they did it.
For the first time since 1998, international rugby returned to the National Sports Stadium.
And, for only the second time ever against the Wales match, the Sables played inside the iconic stadium.
And 16 210 people turned up.
While that was a far cry from filling the iconic stadium, as was the goal, more Sables fans turned up than could have been imagined.
They did not come for a friendly, they came because this team matters.
The boys in turn showed up and showed out, as skipper Hilton Mudariki made his gallant return from injury, sealing it with a try alongside Liam Larkan, Darrell Makwasha, Aiden Burnett and Godfrey Muzanargwo.
David Hayes showed glimpses of the magic from his debut with boot as the crowd sang and cheered every try, every hit, every run and every scrum as if it were a World Cup final.
Coach Pieter Benade said it afterwards, simply: “We are very happy to have been able to play in front of our home crowd after all these years and give them a win.”
But that is Harare doing its part.
Now it is London’s turn.
The baton has been passed on to the Zimbabwean diaspora to come out and support the boys when they face Samoa this evening.
Zimbabwe play Samoa at the DIY Kitchens Stadium in Wakefield.
And on November 14, they will play Uruguay at Trailfinders Sports Ground in Ealing, London.
On paper, these are Zimbabwe’s two home games but in reality, they are being played in England because the country doesn’t have venues that fit the standards just yet.
So this is why the diaspora community is so important as the Sables head into arguably their biggest tests yet against Samoa today and Uruguay next weekend.
The diaspora community will be counted on to provide the support, love, noise and extra men as the Sables march into war.
Zimbabwe arrive in the UK still searching for a first Nations Cup win after a bruising July window in the Americas.
They lost to Tonga (36-26), the USA (31-15) and Canada (23-19).
While they did not get the desired results in each match, they were competitive, fought with pride and maybe lacked the extra men as both the USA and Canada played in front of their own fans.
But even then, the Zimbabwe support was visible as Sables winger Edward Sigauke charmed the US community and managed to secure himself a contract with the Harlequins soon after.
The UK is home to one of the largest Zimbabwean communities outside Zimbabwe itself.
Tens of thousands live within two hours of Wakefield and Ealing.
Many of them have not seen the Sables live since they left home.
They have not watched the Sables live since Zimbabwe won back-to-back Africa Cup titles and, more importantly, book their ticket to next year’s Rugby World Cup in Australia.
For most, the Sables team they remember is not the Sables team that exists now.
But now, they have been given a chance to see their pride and joy live.
The East Stand at the DIY Kitchens Stadium Wakefield is already sold out.
That tells you the appetite is there.
And now that appetite must become noise.
It must become a wall of green and white that makes a Samoan forward think twice at a lineout and makes a Uruguayan kicker rush his kick.
Zimbabwe and Samoa have never met at senior Test level before, making this clash a must-see affair.
Harare answered that question on October 24 with 16 210 people.
And now, the diaspora must answer it again.
For players like Dale Lemon and Jason Robertson, both in line for debuts against Samoa after long and winding journeys, this is not just another game.
So go. Wear the jersey, take the kids, sing and shout.
Go Sables Go.
