Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S star flyhalf and Africa Cup MVP, Ian Prior, believes next year’s launch of the World Rugby Nations Cup could be the biggest turning point for local rugby since the Sables last graced the global stage in 1991.
Fresh from steering Zimbabwe to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, their first in 36 years, Prior says the Nations Cup will give the team the consistent, top-level exposure they’ve long lacked.
“For us to be part of that and to play against teams ranked between 12 and 24, that will be a game changer in terms of exposure for our players and staff,” Prior told RugbyPass.
Set to debut in 2026 as part of World Rugby’s revamped global calendar, the Nations Cup’s Second Division will feature Zimbabwe alongside fellow World Cup qualifiers Georgia, Spain, Portugal, Romania and Asia champions Hong Kong China.
It’s a long overdue chance to test themselves against seasoned opposition, something Prior, who’s unbeaten in seven caps since pledging allegiance to Zimbabwe last year, says the Sables desperately need.
“Before winning the Africa Cup back-to-back, we barely had Tests. I don’t think Zimbabwe even played a Test in 2023, after missing out on World Cup qualification. So, getting more frequent matches, and building a structure that allows home-based players to progress from U16s all the way to the Sables without having to go overseas, is really important.”
Born in Australia to Zimbabwean parents, Prior played for the Junior Wallabies at the 2010 U20 World Championship before deciding to represent his roots. In this year’s Africa Cup, the 35-year-old scored 52 of Zimbabwe’s points, over half the team’s tournament total, in wins against Senegal, Kenya, and Namibia.
Behind the scenes, Prior credits head coach Pieter Benade and rugby figures like Sharks executive Kisset Chirengende and Sables Trust boss Lindsay Earle for building the off-field foundation that transformed the national setup.
“About 18 months ago, they got together and came up with a plan, believing there was enough talent in Zimbabwe and scattered around the world to build a really competitive side, if we could get the guys back, working hard and spending more time together.”
That vision is paying off. Zimbabwe is now ranked 24th in the world, their highest-ever position, and Prior is convinced there’s far more to come if the country can stop the traditional talent drain.
“There is certainly enough talent here. I was lucky enough to watch a school match between St John’s and Falcon, and there was a young No. 10 kicking 53 metre drop goals, at just 18. An immense talent.”
He pointed to the Fijian Drua, a homegrown Super Rugby team fuelling Fiji’s Test success, as the kind of model Zimbabwe could build toward. “What World Rugby’s done with Fiji and the Drua is exactly the kind of pathway that can set us up for the next generation.”
A veteran of over 100 Super Rugby games with the Reds, Brumbies and Force, Prior has brought a calming influence and winning mentality to a Sables side hungry to create history.
“We had a mixture of guys in the team, some who’d been through tough campaigns and fallen short, and others who’d just won the U20 Africa Cup. There was a deep sense of belief in the squad,” he said.
“During the week leading to the final, we had a quiet confidence. No one wanted to say it out loud for fear of jinxing it, but we felt like it was our time to write a new chapter in Zimbabwe rugby’s history. We’d earned the right to be here.
“There was a lot of relief, a lot of jubilation in the changing room afterwards, that we’d finally done it.”
