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THE Zimbabwe senior national rugby team, affectionately known as the Sables, did something they have never done in more than 20 years.
The Sables beat their biggest arch-rivals Namibia in the semi-finals of the 2024 Rugby World Cup in Kampala, Uganda, on Wednesday.
The Zimbabweans were rank underdogs going into the Southern African showdown after having been bullied by their Namibian rivals for more than two decades.
For many, it wasn’t a question of whether the Sables would lose but it was a question of the margin with which they would lose the game with the Namibians booking another place in the final of a tournament they have dominated.
But, the plucky Sables turned the match on its head with one of their best performances, if not the best performance, in recent years to win the game 32-10.
They held off the Namibians, who had taken the lead with a penalty in the first two minutes of the game, by restricting them from scoring a try until the final stages of the contest when the match had already been won.
Head coach Piet Benade appears to have found the right mix for the Sables to make them fight with both conviction and spirit again and all this was on display on Wednesday.
This was Zimbabwe’s first win over the Welwitschias in 23 years.
The last time the Sables had beaten Namibia was in 2001 where they registered a hard fought 27-26 victory in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe went to the half time break with a convincing 14-3 lead before coming back to score 18 more points in the second stanza while the Welwitschias only scored seven.
The Sables scored four tries, with three of them coming in the second half.
Tapiwa Mafura, who scored the first try of the second half, making it 19-3, was the outstanding player of the match and had a memorable game.
But, there was no questioning that the X-Factor was provided by flyhalf Ian Prior who is turning out into the player that the team was looking for.
He was imperious on Wednesday and he showed the experience he has gained playing professional rugby for such franchises like Western Force, Brumbies and Reds in Australia in Super Rugby.
He also played for Harlequins in England.
The 33-year-old utility back was born in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia to Zimbabwean parents and decided to play for the Sables.
Prior is not the only one, connected with Aussie rugby, who has a Zimbabwean connection.
Legendary Aussie skipper, George Musarurwa Gregan, who won the World Cup in 1999 and is Australia’s most capped player, was born in Lusaka to a Zimbabwean mother and Australian father.
Prior’s success with the Sables also shows the local football community that it can also bring on board the players, who were born in foreign countries like England, and ensure that they help the Warriors.
There has been some resistance in our football towards bringing in these players.
But, as the rugby officials have shown, it can be done and it can bring success.
Online Reporter