Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE World Cup might still be some 25 months away but that hasn’t stopped the global rugby community from going into a frenzy with anticipation for the quadrennial tournament in Australia in 2027.
Just moments after going on sale yesterday, all 2 027 Superfan passes — an innovation offering exclusive priority and guaranteed access to tickets — were snapped up in under an hour. A Superfan pass gives fans guaranteed access to tickets for the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027, including the opening match and the final.
Superfan pass holders will be invited to buy tickets in February 2026 before anyone else.
The Superfan pass is a brand-new offer providing guaranteed access to purchase tickets and plan their tournament early.
“We were delighted to introduce the Superfan passes last week, an exciting innovation and a first at a Rugby World Cup, in direct response to what we have consistently heard from fans: a desire for certainty and a way to truly go all-in on the tournament,” said Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 managing director Chris Stanley.
“However, we didn’t expect such a phenomenal response.
“To see all Superfan passes sell out in under an hour shows just how excited fans are to be part of the biggest Rugby World Cup ever-organised and this once-in-a-generation celebration of rugby in Australia,” he said.
Closer home are the Zimbabwe Sables, who only last month punched their ticket to the global rugby showcase when they successfully defended their Rugby Africa Cup title in Uganda.
A 30-28 win over perennial rivals Namibia saw Zimbabwe break a 34-year wait to return to the global stage.
They now join South Africa as the continent’s two representatives at the global show-piece slated for October 1-November 13 in Australia.
That number could increase to three should Namibia, who are still in the running after their place in the Repechage tournament courtesy of a 86-29 thrashing of the United Arab Emirates in the Africa/Asia play-off prevail.
The Namibians now join Belgium as two of the four countries who have secured their places for the Repechage, a tournament of continental runners-up, which will be held later this year.
While Zimbabwe are yet to officially begin their preparations for the Rugby World Cup, that hasn’t stopped many of the Sables players from embarking on their fantasy booking in the lead-up to the official draw next year.
Two of the Sables’ Young Turks — Takudzwa Musingwini and Dion Khumalo — have not hidden their wishes for Zimbabwe to tussle with giants and former champions New Zealand. “Going into the World Cup, honestly, we don’t want to go there simply to make up the numbers, we want to go there and compete,” said Khumalo.
“We are not afraid of anyone or any team and that’s the truth.
“If you ask anyone, any one of the boys, we actually want to go there and compete against the best the tournament has to offer,” he said.
Musingwini added; “We are coming in as underdogs and everyone within the squad knows that.
“We haven’t been there for the past 34 or so years but we are not going there just to mark the register.
“We are going there to play for the people.
“Whatever result comes out, we know that we would have put our best foot forward,” he said.
As far as fantasy booking their dream opponents, the two former Junior Sables players had different opponents.
For Khumalo, he identified the New Zealand All Blacks as a dream opponent.
“There is a strong chance that we may be drawn up against New Zealand and I would love that.
“One can even put Georgia in there.
“Zimbabwe, New Zealand and Georgia would be my guess,” he said.
Musingwini also put Portugal apart from New Zealand.
“Is Portugal there?” he quipped.
“I don’t actually know if they have qualified yet but I would love to play them.
“My fantasy booking will include maybe Portugal and New Zealand.”
But before they can check if their fantasies have become a reality, the Sables duo would have to join their colleagues in preparing for the World Rugby’s Nations League, which will be the Sables’ dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
