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The Zimbabwe men’s national rugby team, the Sables, has advanced to 27th place in the World Rugby rankings following a successful tour in the Middle East and Asia.
Recent victories over the United Arab Emirates and South Korea have boosted their rating to 57, an increase of 16 points.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Zimbabwean rugby, bringing the Sables closer to regional rivals Namibia, who have fallen to 26th, just 0.71 points ahead.
A key moment in their journey was a decisive 32-10 win against Namibia in the Africa Cup semi-final.
Head coach Pieter Benade highlighted that climbing the rankings opens opportunities to face stronger opponents, with a focus on qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
He expressed the need to organize matches against teams ranked 20 to 25.
“While we don’t place excessive importance on rankings, it’s undeniable that climbing the ladder provides us with valuable opportunities to face tougher opponents. The climb in rankings is an indication that we are trending in the right direction…”
ZRU President Losson Mtongwiza echoed this commitment, stating the goal is to compete at the highest level and secure World Cup qualification, benefiting local rugby systems in the process. (The Herald)
Online Reporter