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IT has been a refreshing week for Zimbabwe rugby in particular and the country’s sport at large as the nation joined in celebrating the senior national team’s triumph when winning the Rugby Africa Cup.

The Sables completed a remarkable week during which they ended 23 years of waiting to beat Namibia who they dispatched 32-10 in the semi-final.

By winning the Africa Cup, Zimbabwe took a giant step in their quest for World Cup qualification as they progress to the final round of the 2027 World Cup qualifiers scheduled for Australia.

When Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Losson Mtongwiza was elected on May 25, he outlined a number of priorities, which included qualification, which he vowed his leadership would pursue.

Mtongwiza also revealed ambitions to set up a ZRU Performance Centre that will tap into the high-density suburbs and rural areas for talent.

Of course, the ZRU boss also dared to dream big and also spoke of plans to “a state-of-the-art rugby ground that will house the union’s office, offer gymnasium facilities and a place for the country’s national teams to camp and train’’ despite the association being perennially hamstrung for funding.

However, it is the Sables’ triumph at the Africa Cup tournament in Uganda, which has left the ZRU with a realistic chance of helping the team ensure they qualify for the World Cup.

Zimbabwe have not been to the World Cup showpiece since 1991 and over the last three decades the Sables have lived in the shadows of the Namibians and Cote d’Ivoire who have qualified at their expense.

Now four countries, namely, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Namibia and Kenya will head into next year’s Africa Cup competition, which will also double as the last qualifying round for the World Cup in Australia.

The top two sides at the 2025 Africa Cup will secure the African qualifying slots for the World Cup.

It is also important to note that current world champions South Africa do not play in these qualifiers as they automatically qualify by virtue of their high ranking.

What this means is that all that the Sables have to do next year is to win their semi-final match and punch their ticket to the World Cup.

We thus call upon Mtongwiza and all at ZRU not to take their foot off the pedal amidst the frenzy of celebrations that have followed the Sables 29-3 victory over Algeria in the Africa Cup final.

This is because the war is not yet over.

Success in Uganda in the 2024 Africa Cup edition, was just but a battle that was won.

All the teams including Namibia and Algeria whom we beat are now going to regroup with a bid to come back even stringer.

That means Zimbabwe will be the team to beat in 2025.

It calls on the union to ensure they change their approach especially with respect to the way the Sables prepared for the tourney in Uganda.

Coach Piet Benade was only afforded one international Test against lowly Zambia before he took his troops to the Africa Cup.

This meant that his foreign contingent could not afford to come and feature in the friendly against Zambia, only joining in for the training camp that preceded their departure for Kampala.

Mtongwiza has been around the ZRU leadership for a long time having been one of Aaron Jani’s two deputies for two terms and will surely attest to the benefits of giving the Sables stronger sparring partners such as participation in the Currie Cup.

The Sables preparations have to start now and the senior team has to be prepared well.

It also needs the corporate world to come to the party as it is clear that the ZRU alone cannot afford to ensure the Sables are primed for World Cup qualification.

Players will need to be incentivised adequately for them to feel the pride of playing for the badge and hoisting the country’s flag high.

The team will need to player against stronger opponents together and gauge their strengths and weaknesses.

On their part Benade and crew of selectors will also need to ensure they reach out to all the talented players who are dotted around the globe who include Mathew McNab, Thabani Maguranyanga, Farai Mudariki, Shingi Katsvere and Shadreck Mandaza to represent their country. 

Benade has shown his capacity to blend youth and experience and all the coach now needs is the adequate support systems that can breed more success for his Sables.

And in the midst of focussing on the World Cup, the ZRU must not forget the conveyor belt of talent, which is the Under-20 squad that will once again be doing battle in the Barthes Trophy.

The Junior Sables have proved that it is possible to a double over the Namibians and next year, it will be turn for their seniors to replicate the feat and retain the Africa Cup.