THE Sables are champions of Africa again after outclassing Algeria in Sunday’s final in Kampala, Uganda.
The last time the Sables conquered Africa was in 2012.
The Sables’ intentions were clear from the first match after knocking out Uganda 22-20 in the quarterfinals despite a late spirited charge by the hosts.
The team silenced critics after thrashing bogey side Namibia 32-10 in the semifinals to book a date against Algeria and the rest is history.
It was clear from the start of the tournament that the Sables game plan was to score early and unsettle opponents, adopt a laid back approach in the second half and wait for a sucker punch.
Hats off to the players and the technical team. The new Losson Mtongwiza-led board must be credited for the victory. And of course it would have taken the flak had the team underperformed.
Yet in all fairness, the Aaron Jani-led administration’s contribution in laying a solid foundation for the team to thrive cannot go unnoticed hence it should also be accorded accolades for the victory.
Sunday’s triumph is sweet for Sables coach Pieter Benade whose appointment in March was criticised in some quarters which felt he was inexperienced for the job despite having been part of the technical team.
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Benade knew that he wanted to achieve dizzying heights with the Sables and he successfully implemented his scheme. This is commendable.
He played for Zimbabwe from the Under 18 level to the seniors and is no stranger to the development of talent.
The gaffer seems to be a man with a mission as his technical team wields a lot of experience with former Springbok assistant coach Gert Smal in the mix. Smal is helping Zimbabwe national team on a consultancy basis.
“Besides my contractual KPIs [key performance indicators] of developing Zimbabwe Rugby and succeeding on the pitch, I want to look after the social upliftment of locally- [Zimbabwe] based players, while striving for rugby excellence nationally, delivering to Zimbabweans, a team for which they can be proud,” Benade told Southern Mail in March.
Very few believed him, with critics saying he was “building castles in the air”.
Sunday’s victory has seen Zimbabwe moving two places up the ladder on the World Rugby Men’s Rankings to 28, a nine-year high.
The team cannot be immersed in celebrations forever. The World Cup is the real deal.
The fans expect the Sables to qualify for the expanded men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 edition in Australia which will feature 24 teams, up from the 20 that participated in the last edition.
This entails adequate preparations which require resources. Government must bolster the support the Sables are enjoying from corporates.
Zimbabwe needs to invest in sport to reap huge benefits. Oftentimes government tags along after victories.
The Sables story should motivate other sport codes that when there is transparency corporates will chip in. Nedbank Zimbabwe has fruitfully partnered Zimbabwe Rugby Union and the results are there for everyone to see and cherish.
This success is not an overnight thing, it is the result of years of planning and hard work.
Thus we implore other sporting organisations to emulate the Zimbabwe Rugby Union.
