Story by Lawrence Trusida
THE Zimbabwe Sables have stepped up their preparations for the Rugby World Cup 2027 by lining up a demanding international schedule designed to test their readiness against top-tier opposition.
Zimbabwe is set to headline the World Rugby Nations Cup in July, where they will face the United States national rugby union team, Tonga national rugby union team and Canada national rugby union team in a three-match tour across North America.
The Sables will open their campaign against Tonga on July 4 in Denver, before taking on the USA on July 11 in Charlotte. The tour will conclude with a clash against Canada on July 18 in Winnipeg.
The fixtures form part of a structured pathway supported by World Rugby, aimed at enhancing Zimbabwe’s competitiveness ahead of the global showpiece.
Zimbabwe, who last featured at the 1991 Rugby World Cup, are seeking to close the gap with elite rugby nations and assemble a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Preparations are already underway, with pre-season matches held in South Africa, while the union is also targeting regional competitions such as the Victoria Cup and the Battle of the Zambezi.
Additional Nations Cup fixtures are scheduled for November as Zimbabwe continues to fine-tune its squad.
With the road to Australia now firmly underway, each test against elite opposition presents an opportunity for the Sables to prove they belong on rugby’s biggest stage.
