• Sport

Zimbabwe building up bullishly for 2025

• 3 Weeks Ago - 2024-10-30 00:00:00

Recent developments in Zimbabwean rugby should serve as a wake-up call to its arch-rival Namibia in the build-up to the decisive 2027 Rugby World Cup qualifiers that is fast approaching.
In 2024, Namibia failed to live up to its long-held domination of its eastern neighbour on the rugby field – losing internationals at senior test level as well as Under-20 and U18.
Allister Coetzee was roped in as a late replacement to take over from Ryan de la Harpe for the Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Cup in Harare in April-May – where the youngsters failed to reach the final after losses to both Kenya (28-34) and Zimbabwe (23-35).
It was the Kenyans that ended up qualifying for the World Rugby U20 Trophy tournament in Scotland, where they lost all four matches to be placed last of the eight teams. Namibia has not qualified for the world U20 tournament since 2018.
When Zimbabwe followed up by winning the senior Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda during July, the Sables were finally rewarded for some impressive ground work, while Namibia was left to point to the absence of most of its established core from recent years and a forced move to expose more new players.
In Kampala, Zimbabwe crushed Namibia 32-10 in the semi-final before outclassing Algeria 29-3 to win the final.
Rugby Africa Cup 2025 will again be held in Kampala and this time will be the decisive qualifying event to determine the continent’s representative at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Moreover, it seems certain that Namibia will play no internationals during the November 2024 window period for test rugby – further reducing the available time to the national coaching staff in moulding the national squad to its fullest cohesion.
By contrast, Zimbabwe has been at work in the past weeks since the announcement of their upcoming November tour to the United Arab Emirates for a match-up in Dubai on 5 November, before heading to South Korea for an alignment camp and scheduled matches on 7 and 15 November.
Inspired by Zimbabwe’s first Africa Cup win in 12 years, more players look set to join former Western Force and Brumbies fly-half Ian Prior in helping the Sables in their mission to qualify for World Cup 2027 and breaking their decades-long qualifying drought since 1987 and 1991.
The addition of Prior (33) was already a big factor in the Sables’ first test win against Namibia since Harare 2001 – as he dictated matters with his tactical boot and also creating right wing Trevor Gurwe’s try with a cross-kick up-and-under.
Zimbabwe coach Piet Benade could also have more exciting options to work with.
According to reporting, former Australian international Kyle Godwin has been officially cleared by World Rugby to represent the Zimbabwe Sables and is already currently joined up at the national training camp.
Godwin (32) has played more than a decade of Super Rugby from 2012 to 2022, representing the Western Force and the Brumbies, before switching to a professional career with his current French Top 14 club Lyon.
Eli Snyman (28) was born in Harare and plays lock for Italian club Benetton, after previous contracts with the Blue Bulls (2016-2019), and Leicester Tigers (2021-2023). He also represented the South Africa U20 team in 2016. He is listed at 111 kg and 2.01 metres on his Wikipedia page.
Gareth Evans (33) has also been in the conversation lately. The 33-year-old loose-forward played one test for the All Blacks in 2018 and also represented the Highlanders and the Hurricanes (2018-2021). Born in Hasting, New Zealand, with a Zimbabwean mother, he could also be in line for a second international career in accordance to current World Rugby regulations.
With the well-known speed, flair and skills that the Sables backline have become known for over the years, with options such as the Lions wing Tapiwa Mafura, Zimbabwe will not be short on confidence when they face Namibia next year.
Namibian rugby supporters often muse around the braai fires about how serious the setback to the local sport would be if ever the national team concedes the continental qualifying spot to the Rugby World Cup to challengers such as Zimbabwe or Kenya. A lot of work will be needed to avoid such a scenario.


NAMIBIA’S LOSING 2024 AGAINST ZIMBABWE

Rugby Africa Cup, Kampala: Zimbabwe beat Namibia 32-10.
Under-20 Rugby Africa Barthes Cup, Harare: Zimbabwe beat Namibia 35-23.
Under-18 Academy Week, Johannesburg: Zimbabwe beat Namibia 31-28.
Under-15 Rhino Week, Vanderbijlpark: Zimbabwe did not attend.
Under-16 Grant Khomo Week, Gqeberha: Namibia beat Zimbabwe 31-8.
Under-13 Craven Week, Pretoria: Namibia beat Zimbabwe 29-12.