Zimbabwe’s rugby national team has not qualified for the Rugby World Cup since 1991,almost 34 years since the last time the Sables danced on the world stage.
The last three World Cup qualification campaigns have brought nothing but heartbreak and disappointment.
The most painful of them came during the 2015 World Cup qualifiers, held in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Then coach Brandon Dawson and Director of Rugby Liam Middleton had assembled a formidable squad, which included former Lions fly-half Guy Cronje ,twin brother to Springboks scrum-half Ross Cronje.
In the backline was the magician Tangai “Too Bad” Nemadire. Up front, the team boasted powerful ball carriers like Graeme Lawler, Kingsley Lang, and Lions loose forward later Pumas player Lambert Groenewald.
Despite all that talent, the dream collapsed in what has come to be known as the “Ghost of Antananarivo”. In the final round of matches, Zimbabwe had all the momentum against Kenya.
With 10 minutes to go, the equation was simple: score a bonus-point try and book a ticket to England 2015. Zimbabwe had already scored three tries. Kenya were down to 14 men due to a yellow card. A penalty came Zimbabwe’s way deep inside Kenya’s 22.
Instead of going for the corner or calling for a scrum to chase the crucial bonus-point try, then-captain Daniel Hondo chose to kick for posts. Amid visible confusion, he looked several times toward the bench.
Eventually, the kicking tee was brought on, and Cronje slotted the three points. The Sables won the game 28–10, hoping to qualify on points difference.
But traditional nemesis Namibia had other plans. In their final game, they thrashed Madagascar 89–12, finishing with the same 10 log points as Zimbabwe but with a superior points difference of +76, compared to Zimbabwe’s +49.
The 2019 World Cup qualifiers held in 2018 introduced a new round-robin format through the Rugby Africa Gold Cup, involving the top six teams on the continent. Zimbabwe went all out in their preparations.
A Sables Trust led by Gerald Mlotshwa then raised US$1 million for the campaign. The Union also hired former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, with Brandon Dawson as his assistant.
But De Villiers’ biggest undoing was trying to change too much too soon. Coming from a professional setup into an amateur environment caused friction.
His working relationship with Dawson quickly soured, and by the end of the campaign, former Sables captain Daniel Hondo had replaced Dawson as assistant coach.
Zimbabwe’s 2018 Gold Cup campaign was a disaster from day one. They drew 23–23 at home to Morocco at the Machinery Exchange Stadium in Harare. Then came a 46–36 loss to Kenya in Nairobi, followed by a shocking 18–14 defeat to Tunisia.
By the time they hosted Namibia in Bulawayo at Hartsfield, the dream was already up in smoke. Namibia ran riot, winning 58–28. In the final match against Uganda in Kampala, Zimbabwe were fighting to stay in the Gold Cup, not to qualify for the World Cup.
They managed a 38–18 win, but it was too late. They finished 5th out of 6.
In the 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign, held in 2022 in France, Zimbabwe appointed Brandon Dawson as head coach once again. He assembled a strong technical team that included current head coach Piet Benade.
Preparations were better this time, with the team playing in South Africa’s Currie Cup under the Goshawks brand.
In the quarterfinals of the Africa Cup, Zimbabwe beat Ivory Coast 38–11. But in the semifinal, they ran into a well oiled Namibian side and lost 34–19. Zimbabwe held their own physically, but the absence of a recognised fly-half proved costly.
Marcus Nel, a natural centre from his days at St George’s College through to Zimbabwe U20s, was thrust into the No. 10 jersey.
He lacked the instincts of a true pivot,often opting to run hard at defenders instead of orchestrating play. The backline lacked creativity.
Kicking duties were shared between Hilton Mudariki and Tapiwa Mafura both decent but not clinical kickers. Zimbabwe left crucial points on the kicking tee, which could have changed the complexion of the match.
They went on to lose the third-place playoff to Algeria 20–12, finishing fourth overall.
Now, in 2025, under the stewardship of Piet Benade, the Sables have a real shot at rewriting history. They head to Uganda for the Africa Cup, doubling as qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
This could be the most competitive Africa Cup in history. The gap between African nations has closed significantly. It’s a straight knockout tournament.
The class of 2025 can finally lay to rest the ghosts of Antananarivo, the disappointments of the 2018 Gold Cup, and the heartbreak of France 2022. They can give the nation what it craves most a place among rugby’s elite once again.
This current squad has something previous generations didn’t: cohesion. Most of the core group has been together since 2022.
There’s depth in key positions. Experience too,at least 20 players ply their trade outside Zimbabwe.
Notably, Tino Mavesere and Tapiwa Mafura are competing in the elite United Rugby Championship (URC), while veteran Ian Prior has played Super Rugby for the Western Force.
Zimbabwe will be banking on chemistry, power, and individual brilliance.,the kind that can unlock any defence on any day.
The Africa Cup bursts into life on July 8 at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Quarterfinal Fixtures:
- Zimbabwe vs Morocco
- Algeria vs Ivory Coast
- Namibia vs Senegal
- Uganda vs Kenya (main game)
Winners will advance to the semifinals on Saturday, July 13.
