Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
RUGBY Africa president Herbert Mensah has expressed his commitment to supporting Zimbabwe as the Sables begin their preparation journey for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Mensah said World Rugby is also willing to come on board and assist Zimbabwe in their preparation for the global showpiece Down Under but they need a house in order so that they pour in the necessary financial support.
“We are now thinking about the 2027 World Cup already in Australia. We have Zimbabwe who have rightly qualified with an extraordinary display. We saw it last year and coming into this year, winning the final. The fact of the matter is, we now need to prepare Zimbabwe for that tournament.
“World Rugby, thankfully, is prepared to support the winners for their preparation. That means that the boys in Zimbabwe, those who are playing abroad and those who are in Zimbabwe and those who are emerging have to be brought together by their extraordinary coach, Pieter Benade and his technical team, will now be helped along by World Rugby to make sure that the players are well prepared,” said Mensah.
The continental rugby boss said internal governance has to be in order and are currently doing an audit to ensure that all is in place.
“Sports is big business which means Zimbabwe themselves have to raise money, World Rugby is going to come to the party and matches will have to be played. Internally they have to change their training methods to make sure that the strength and condition of players change. They need to get players from different parts of the world to play. Africa’s problem is not talent, it’s the fact that they are not playing enough competitive matches at the high level to be able to play in the World Cup and compete.
“I’m hoping Namibia also qualify (through the repêchage). We have to make sure that the internal governance of these two nations is 100%. In order for us to support financially, we have to do an audit, which is what we are currently doing. We are here to support Zimbabwe, we will make sure that through the audit, that Rugby Africa also provides the structures and the systems.
World Rugby must have confidence in the internal structures before they pour in money. Sport is big business and money likes to go where there is peace and quiet, not where there is chaos. Africa must ensure that its house is in order. We need to make sure that all boxes are ticked and we will do that,” he said.
Mensah added that they will work hard to ensure that Zimbabwe gets the best possible preparation for the global showpiece.
“In Zimbabwe I have had great exchanges with the ministry and I have great respect for the presidency and I hope that working with them, with the regulators and those who are the stakeholders, will work together to ensure that Zimbabwe goes to the Rugby World Cup in an excellent state. I have high hopes, I love the country and I hope that they do well.”
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be the Sables’ first appearance at the World Cup since 1991. Their qualification came at the back of a successful Rugby Africa Cup where they won the tournament back to back, in 2024 and in 2025.
