Zimbabwe will end a record 36-year gap between Rugby World Cups when they make their third appearance at the tournament in Australia 2027.
Zimbabwe were the first team to represent the African continent at Men’s Rugby World Cup, competing in the 1987 and 1991 tournaments.
Fast forward 36 years, when the Sables are poised to make their third appearance at the global showpiece in Australia 2027 after booking their place via a regional qualifying tournament staged in July 2025.
Pieter Benade's charges will face England, Wales and Tonga during the pool stage and have reason to believe that a first Rugby World Cup win is within their grasp. The squad has been strengthened in recent seasons, while technical improvements have contributed to a consistent run of results.
Players to watch
Ian Prior
Prior represented the Australia U20 side, Queensland Reds, ACT Brumbies and Western Force in Super Rugby and Harlequins in the English Premiership during the first phase of his career. In 2024, the half-back decided to explore an opportunity in his parents’ homeland and made his debut for Zimbabwe later that year.
Since then, the multi-talented Prior has made a series of telling contributions as a fly-half and goal-kicker. He will be 37 by the time the Sables touch down in Australia, but his experience of big tournaments and the country itself should be invaluable to the Zimbabwe cause.
Tinotenda Mavesere
Mavesere progressed through Zimbabwe’s age-group ranks before making his senior test debut in 2019. The flanker was recruited by the University of the Western Cape thereafter and made an immediate impact in South Africa's Varsity Cup tournament.
The Sharks snapped up the explosive forward in 2023 and since then, Mavesere has been a regular member of the squad in the Currie Cup (which the Sharks won in 2024), United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup.
Cleopas Kundiona
Kundiona's rugby journey has taken him to the Sharks, where he packed down against Rugby World Cup winners such as Ox Nché on a weekly basis, Chambery and Nevers in France’s Pro D2 and latterly Northampton Saints in England's top flight.
The 1.83m, 124kg tight-head prop has featured prominently for Zimbabwe during the qualifying phase, and his experience of scrummaging against top players will be key when the Sables face England and Wales in Australia.
RWC icon
Richard Tsimba became the first black player to represent Zimbabwe when he made his debut against the Soviet Union in 1986. Nicknamed ‘The Black Diamond’, the centre won 23 caps for his country and featured at two Rugby World Cups in 1987 and 1991, scoring two tries against Romania at the former and another against Japan in the latter.
Tsimba, who died aged 34 after a car accident in 2000, was posthumously recognised for his contribution to the game when he was inducted into World Rugby’s Hall of Fame in 2012, alongside his brother Kennedy, who captained the Sables in later years.
Head coach
Pieter Benade was born and raised in Zimbabwe and represented his country at the U18 Craven Week competition in 1999 and 2000 before attending and playing for Stellenbosch University. He went on to play for South African teams Western Province and Pumas and had a stint in France’s Pro D2 with USA Limoges before retiring in 2012.
Benade began coaching at his old False Bay club in Cape Town and served as Zimbabwe’s assistant coach for two years before taking on the top job in March 2024. Under his guidance, the Sables won back-to-back Rugby Africa Cup titles and ultimately secured qualification for Rugby World Cup 2027.
Most memorable match
Zimbabwe faced Romania at Auckland’s Eden Park in their opening match of Rugby World Cup 1987.
The Sables scored three tries against the more-fancied European outfit but fell agonisingly short of what would have been a remarkable win – eventually losing 21-20. It was the closest they have come in their six RWC matches to date to recording a victory.
Pool journey
2 October, 2027 v Wales (Adelaide│Tarntanya)
8 October v England (Adelaide│Tarntanya)
15 October v Tonga (Townsville│Gurambilbarra)
Did you know…?
Zimbabwe is home – along its border with Zambia – to Victoria Falls, one of the seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Known locally as "The Smoke That Thunders", it is the world’s largest sheet of falling water, measuring 1.7km across and a staggering 108m from top to bottom. The noise of the water crashing into the Zambezi River below can be heard from over 40km away.
RWC history
Pool stage (2) – 1987, 1991
How they qualified for RWC 2027
Zimbabwe won the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup and travelled to the 2025 edition of the tournament in Uganda as the region's top seed. From there, the Sables beat Morocco and Kenya, before edging Namibia 30-28 in the final to clinch the title as well as qualification for Australia 2027.
Key stats
Zimbabwe will be participating in their first Men’s Rugby World Cup since 1991, with their 36-year gap between appearances the longest of any nation in the competition’s history.
Zimbabwe averaged 11.2 offloads per game across their appearances at RWC 1987 and RWC 1991; only New Zealand (13.1) have a higher average in Men’s Rugby World Cup history.
RWC Fast facts
- RWC debut: 1987
- RWC best finish: Fourth in pool (1987, 1991)
- Most RWC appearances: Michael Martin (6)
- Top RWC try scorer: Richard Tsimba (3)
- Top RWC points scorer: Marthinus Grobler (16)
