Zimbabwe Gets World Rugby Backing Ahead of 2027 World Cup

Harare — Zimbabwe’s return to the Rugby World Cup has opened the door to a broader transformation of the sport, with World Rugby, Rugby Africa and the Government committing to strengthen high-performance rugby, expand grassroots participation and build a lasting legacy beyond the 2027 tournament.

World Rugby Chairman, Brett Robinson, and Rugby Africa president and World Rugby Executive Board member, Herbert Mensah, held high-level talks with Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister, Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Anselem Nhamo Sanyatwe, in Harare on Monday, August 24, with the discussions centred on the future of Zimbabwean rugby.

The meeting formally acknowledged the Sables’ qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, their first appearance at the global showpiece since 1991.

The focus extended beyond the tournament, with the parties examining governance stability, high-performance planning, grassroots development and the expansion of Rugby Sevens.

Minister Sanyatwe, who was joined by Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya and Dr. Biggie Samwanda from the Arts and Culture Directorate, commended World Rugby for its support and said governance reforms at the Zimbabwe Rugby Union had restored institutional stability.

He also reaffirmed Government’s backing for the Sables as they prepare for their return to the world stage.

Robinson said Zimbabwe’s qualification presented an opportunity to use the World Cup momentum to transform the sport across the country.

"Zimbabwe’s return to the Rugby World Cup in 2027 is incredibly important, but equally important is the legacy we can create for rugby in this country beyond 2027,” he said.

He welcomed the governance structures introduced at the Zimbabwe Rugby Union and stressed the importance of continuity.

“We want to continue to invest alongside the Zimbabwe Rugby Union and the Government of Zimbabwe in the future of the sport,” Robinson said.

He said the ultimate objective was to use rugby to create opportunities for young people.

“Ultimately, our aspiration is to change the lives of young men and women through our sport, creating an environment where they can have aspirations, develop themselves and believe in what they can achieve,” he said.

Mensah said Zimbabwe needed to regard the 2027 World Cup as the beginning of a new chapter rather than the culmination of its rugby ambitions.

“Zimbabwe’s qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup is a great achievement, but we must see 2027 as the beginning, not the destination,” he said.

He said Government support, strong leadership and appropriate structures would be critical to sustaining the momentum.

The meeting also reviewed the Sables’ competition and preparation programme, including their integration into World Rugby’s expanded international competition pathway and the upcoming November 2026 Nations Cup fixtures.

The parties further discussed the expansion of grassroots rugby, while Rugby Sevens was identified as a key development vehicle ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Rugby Africa is expected to continue working with the Zimbabwe Rugby Union on governance continuity and positioning the country to maximise opportunities arising from its return to the World Cup.

The engagement brought together senior officials from World Rugby, Rugby Africa, Government and the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.

The World Rugby delegation included Robinson, Mensah, Chief of International Federation David Carrigy and Rugby Africa presidential adviser David Gilbert, a former president of the Botswana Rugby Union.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union was represented by Interim Management Committee chair, Paddy Zhanda, and general manager Takunda Chifokoyo.

The parties said the shared objective was to use Zimbabwe’s World Cup qualification to strengthen the sport from grassroots level through to the elite game.

To mark Zimbabwe’s return to the global rugby stage, Robinson presented Minister Sanyatwe and Deputy Minister Jesaya with an official World Rugby ceremonial salver and the Rugby World Cup 2027 match ball, featuring Australian Indigenous artwork.

The presentation formally welcomed Zimbabwe back to the pinnacle of international rugby as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 tournament.