Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema, Zimpapers Sports Hub
PIET BENADE is a man with a plan. While the 2027 Rugby World Cup remains the ultimate goal, Zimbabwe’s senior national rugby team have a series of important campaigns lined up over the next 12 months and Sables coach Benade, appears to have everything mapped out.
The former Zimbabwe international has unveiled a seven-month programme that includes cross-border tours against the likes of Zambia and Botswana. He also intends to host African Challenges featuring Kenya, Uganda and Namibia.
All of this is geared towards preparing his side for next year’s World Rugby Nations Cup — a tournament designed to give World Cup teams much-needed exposure and competitive game time. There, Zimbabwe have fixtures scheduled against Canada, the United States of America and their World Cup opponents, Tonga.
If everything falls into place, the Sables could play as many as 20 Test matches by the end of the year.
“We are obviously looking forward to next year. We are super stoked by the happenings of the last month or so, what with the draw and everything. It has really hit home what we have achieved and put into perspective the challenges that lie ahead. Now, we are just looking forward to preparing the boys and putting on a good show in 2026,” said Benade.
Benade then explained the thinking behind his programme.
“We have two big campaigns coming up — 2026 and 2027. So, 2026 will be about really building our team, assessing the gap in performance between Rugby Africa and what we will face in July. We are going to close that gap in terms of personnel, preparation and training, and then see how well we do in July at the Nations Cup.
“We obviously have a wish list, and topping that is activity and game time. We have a few Cross-Border Rugby Challenges we would love to play against Zambia and Botswana. We would also love to invite the Kenyans, Ugandans and Namibians for a couple of Test matches.
“All these things cost money, and that is where the grant funding comes in. We have three campaigns—the cross-border, the African Challenge and then the trip to America. Hopefully, we can do everything at a standard that allows us to be competitive.”
The Sables have since broken camp for the holidays and are expected to regroup in the first week of January. That is when the real work begins.
In the meantime, Benade and his technical team will focus on aligning their structures with World Rugby requirements. These include addressing player recruitment, contract negotiations and medical insurance.
Player recruitment has been identified as a top priority, with the technical team dividing the playing pool into three tiers. Tier One consists of about 12 to 15 players with Zimbabwean heritage who are currently competing in top leagues around the world. Tier Two includes roughly 20 to 25 players drawn from regional leagues, while Tier Three is made up of locally based and developmental players.
“The talks with some of the player recruits have been mostly positive. Without naming people, Gary Porter has made himself officially available, which is a big positive step for us. Opening the World Cup window has piqued the interest of others who previously couldn’t make it, so we are tracking in the right direction.
“A couple of things need to fall into place for all these guys to run out onto the field in a Sables jersey. Either way, we should be able to put out a competitive team—even against the Nations Cup teams — soon,” said Benade.
