Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
THE Zimbabwe national rugby team, the Sables, are set for a demanding 2026 international season, with at least six Test matches confirmed as preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup gather momentum.
World Rugby has confirmed Zimbabwe’s Test schedule for the year, which includes a high-profile tour of the United States of America in July, where the Sables will face three Tier Two nations ranked above them.
The American tour will open on July 4 with a Test against Tonga, before Zimbabwe take on the hosts, the United States, on July 11. The tour will conclude on July 18 with a clash against Canada, in what is expected to be a stern examination of the Sables’ depth and competitiveness.
Zimbabwe are also scheduled to host Samoa, Uruguay and Chile during the November international window. However, the matches will be staged in England due to the absence of a World Rugby-certified venue in Zimbabwe, a situation that continues to limit the team’s ability to play home Tests.
In addition, the Zimbabwe Rugby Interim Management Committee is engaging regional partners with a view to reviving the Victoria Cup, while discussions are also underway with South African franchises to arrange friendly matches outside the official international windows.
World Rugby has meanwhile urged Zimbabwe to fully exploit its extensive global talent pool if it is to compete meaningfully at the World Cup.
World Rugby Service Manager Steph Nel said Zimbabwe had a proven history of producing elite players who have excelled at the highest level of the game.
“You have no shortage of talent. Zimbabwe has produced players who have captained Tier One nations and played at the very top,” Nel said, citing former internationals such as David Pocock, Ross Denton and Springbok centurion Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira.
He added that there are currently at least 11 players eligible for Zimbabwe playing in Tier One leagues, stressing that their availability will be critical if the Sables are to move beyond merely participating at the World Cup.
Among those eligible are former Bristol Bears prop Lovejoy Chawatama, Benetton Rugby prop and former Junior Sables player Eli Snyman, and Queensland Reds loose forward Connor Pritchard.
Zimbabwe will return to the Rugby World Cup for the first time in almost three decades, having last appeared at the tournament in 1991.
