Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE whistle has blown on decades of patient anticipation. After an extraordinary campaign that saw the Sables clinch their berth at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, Zimbabwe’s head coach, Pieter Benade, is now fixed on a singular objective: to seize this phenomenal opportunity and showcase the raw, untapped talent the country possesses on the sport’s biggest stage in just under two years.
The draw has delivered a mouth-watering, albeit utterly seismic, challenge for the Sables, placing them in Pool F alongside global behemoths England, Wales, and the formidable Pacific Islanders, Tonga.
Benade, revealing the personal twist in the tale, admitted he grew up supporting England, one of the very nations he must now strategise to defeat.
Yet, he believes that unity of purpose will be the key driver for his squad, giving his players a priceless opportunity to face some of the finest rugby stars on the planet.
“I am a small part of a large group of people who have an amazing opportunity to show how good Zimbabweans can be if we put our minds to it, work together and are aligned with a vision and a goal,” Benade stated, demonstrating a humility that belies the scale of his achievement.
Reflecting on the Pool F opponents, he acknowledged the excitement.
“The draw was very exciting and again showed how special it is for our players to get an opportunity to be playing alongside some of the world’s best teams. I think all teams are hoping to achieve special things at the World Cup. We are aware that the challenges are monumental.”
He drilled down into the specifics of the task ahead.
“Playing two of the Home Nations is a massive challenge and privilege. Then the Tongans are very well renowned for their physical prowess. We are looking forward to the preparation and the challenges all these teams will provide in the hope that we grow and benefit from it,” Benade told SportsCast.
The Sables gaffer admitted to an element of surrealism, confessing that he grew up idolising two of the very teams he will now be strategising against in 2027.
Benade vividly recalled a childhood encounter with the Welsh dragon.
While at primary school, he played in a curtain-raiser game for Zimbabwe against Wales, sharing cherished memories of the day.
“I remember that Welsh tour, I played a curtain-raiser for my primary school, Bryden, at the Police Grounds in Harare before Wales played against the Sables.
“I cannot remember our opponent, but I remember scoring a try in the corner.”
He continued, recalling the main event with sharp clarity.
“As for the main game, I remember an 18-year-old Victor Olonga playing wing and scoring a try for Zim (in a 42-13 defeat for the Sables, with fullback Ian Noble converting the try and kicking two penalties),” said Benade.
He painted a picture of rugby fandom in a different era.
“I used to follow the Five Nations (now the Six Nations) on a programme called Glynns Bolts Rugby on ZBC.
“It was a Monday night review show that showed about 20 minutes highlights of matches.
“So I knew quite a lot of the players pretty well.
“I used to record the show on a cassette and video recorder and would watch the games over and over
His loyalties, he confirmed, were firmly with one of their upcoming rivals.
“Of the Five Nations sides, I supported England. Rob Andrew, the English number 10, was my hero.”
The 43-year-old Benade admitted he never remotely imagined that one day he would have to find ways to try and stop one of the teams that captivated his boyhood imagination.
“I have changed the teams I supported many times over the years. But I definitely enjoyed watching all the English players in the early to mid-90s. Their history and pedigree is amazing. I don’t think I would have ever dreamed that I might need to one day prepare a team to try to stop their attack, or try to find ways to give their players problems on defence,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s participation marks a highly anticipated return to the global showpiece after a 36-year absence, having last featured at the tournament back in 1991. They also proudly took part in the inaugural 1987 edition. The 2027 World Cup promises to be the biggest tournament in the sport’s history, with an expanded field of 24 teams battling it out fiercely for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup.
The structure will see six pools, each comprising four teams. The top two teams from each pool will secure automatic progression to the Round of 16 knockout stage, while the four best third-place teams will also advance. Crucially, those four teams will be determined primarily by competition points, with points difference and try difference serving as the subsequent tie-breakers used respectively to decide which sides make it out of the gruelling pool stage and keep their impossible dream alive.
Londile Moyo
Bongani Ndlovu