Zimbabwe rugby’s remarkable 2024 turnaround

AFTER a quiet 2023, the Zimbabwe senior men’s national rugby team, the Sables, roared back to life in 2024. They capped off a remarkable season with a hard-fought victory over South Korea in Incheon last week. They enjoyed a resurgence this year, playing and winning seven matches, including a historic victory over Namibia. This impressive performance culminated in their first Africa Cup title in 12 years.

Compared to the previous year, 2024 was an unusually busy year for the Sables. However, they managed to sail through, achieving a remarkable feat of winning all seven matches they played.

To kick-start their busy season, Zimbabwe registered an uninspiring 32-28 win over neighbours Zambia in a game played during the Mwana Group International Schools Rugby Festival in Harare in May, marking the start of the Pieter Benade era, which has so far brought nothing but smiles to the rugby faithful in Zimbabwe.

In the return leg at Lusaka Rugby Grounds in June, Zimbabwe managed to make it back-to-back victories with a 22-17 win. These two victories held them in good stead for the rugby that was yet to come.

It was the Africa Cup that followed soon after, and the Sables managed to register an impressive three wins on the trot, making it five out of five — including the Zambia games.

Benade’s men, who received a boost with the arrival of former Australia Under-20 fly-half Ian Prior, who immediately made his presence felt, opened their Africa Cup campaign with a 22-20 win over Uganda before going on to end a 23-year jinx against Namibia.

With the odds stacked against them, Zimbabwe convincingly beat Namibia 32-10 in the tournament’s semi-final, their first win over the Welwitschias in 23 years. The last time the Sables beat Namibia was in 2001, where they registered a hard-fought 27-26 victory.

It was in Bulawayo in July of that year that they last recorded victory over Namibia. They would go on to face Algeria in the final and record a comfortable 29-3 win to be crowned African Champions. Zimbabwe’s season was then rounded off by a 67-22 win over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and a closely fought 27-22 win against South Korea last week. Testament to their unforgettably extraordinary campaign, Zimbabwe moved up twice in the World Rugby rankings. In July, after the Africa Cup, the Sables moved from position 31 to 29, and on Tuesday, they made yet another significant stride as they moved two places up again to number 27.

The Sables now have a rating of 57.16 points, rising from 56.03. This is now their highest position since they were 26th in November 2015. Their flawless record in 2024 brought them closer to their regional rivals, Namibia. While Zimbabwe has not surpassed Namibia in the rankings, they have closed the gap and now sit just one position behind them. That history-making win over the Welwitschias in the Africa Cup semi-final was a pivotal moment in their journey.

Benade took over the Sables job in March, replacing Brandon Dawson, and has since managed to transform the national team into a formidable side. Speaking after their game against South Korea, he said he is proud of the bond that has been created within the team set-up. “I am really proud of the boys for the effort over the last few weeks. The time together has been invaluable and to finish it off like this is super cool,” said Benade.

Having achieved immortality in 2024, the season turned out to be more special for the veteran duo of captain Hilton Mudariki and Simba Mandioma.

“Against South Korea, they both ran out for the 50th time in the iconic green and white strip. Mudariki, who plays scrum-half, and Mandioma, who plays hooker, both made their debuts in 2013 and for a good 11 years, they have served Zimbabwean rugby with pride and dignity.

“It has been a tough year for us. The boys have worked really hard and we definitely deserve this. The work that the players, coaches, medical staff and everyone involved with the Sables has put into 2024, this is what it comes down to. We are super proud. It was awesome for me to run out onto the field for my 50th cap with my good friend Simba,” said Mudariki.

The ended season was a motivation booster for the Sables, who are looking at qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

The final qualification tournament for the global showpiece is set for next year in Uganda, where only one ticket will be up for grabs. High in spirit, it will be the Sables’ first appearance at the World Cup since 1991.

In their quest to book their ticket Down Under, Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) roped in the likes of Prior and his former Western Force teammate and one-capped former Wallabies centre Kyle Godwin, who have brought a wealth of experience to the side. @brandon_malvin