THE DRILLER IS BACK!

Brandon Moyo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

THE Driller is back, and he’s sounding the war drums!

Zimbabwe rugby flanker Tinotenda “The Driller” Mavesere has fired a warning to his Sables teammates: Ditch the celebrations, it’s time to grind, the Rugby World Cup is calling!

The star flanker, fresh from South Africa’s Sharks, returned home to rally Zimbabwe’s national rugby team ahead of their do-or-die 2025 Africa Cup campaign, the golden ticket to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

And, despite watching from the sidelines as the Sables smashed Zambia 70-15 in a season-opening blitz, Mavesere didn’t mince his words:

“This is no time to get comfortable. We’ve got history to make!”

“It’s always good coming back home,” said Mavesere. “There’s a calm vibe in the squad after lifting the Africa Cup last year, but we’ve got to reset.

“This is a brand new challenge, and there’s no room for complacency.”

Last year’s title was Zimbabwe’s first Africa Cup crown in 12 years but, with a World Cup berth now at stake, Mavesere says the mission has shifted from celebration to conquest.

“Every kid dreams of the World Cup. Now we’re standing on the edge of that dream. Sure, there are nerves, but this is our shot at making history,” he declared.

The high-stakes Africa Cup showdown roars to life in Uganda from July 20-28, with Zimbabwe drawn into a powder-keg Pool A alongside Uganda, Kenya and Morocco.

The Sables open their title defence against Morocco in the quarter-finals, while bitter East African rivals Kenya and Uganda lock horns in a derby for the ages.

Winners clash in the semis.

Over in Pool B, Namibia face Senegal and Algeria take on Côte d’Ivoire, but it’s Zimbabwe who wear the top seed tag as reigning champs.

It’s a familiar battleground for the Sables, who were once the pride of African rugby, playing in the first two Rugby World Cups in 1987 and 1991.

But they’ve missed the global stage ever since, with rivals Namibia taking over the continental reins.

South Africa entered the fray in 1995, winning the tournament on debut, and Mavesere believes it’s high time Zimbabwe returned to rugby’s biggest party.

“We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the hunger, now we’ve got the shot. Let’s finish the job,” said The Driller.

The countdown to Uganda has begun, and the Sables know what’s at stake: a one way ticket to rugby immortality.