Sables surge to 27th in World Rugby Rankings

The Zimbabwe men's national rugby team, the Sables, have continued their impressive ascent in world rugby, climbing two places to 27th in the latest World Rugby rankings. This milestone follows their victorious Middle East and Asia tour, where they secured wins against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and South Korea.

The Sables now boast a rating of 57.16 points, up from 56.03, marking a historic moment for Zimbabwean rugby. The team's flawless 7-0 record in test matches this year highlights their upward trajectory, bringing them within striking distance of regional rivals Namibia, who sit at 26th with only a 0.71-point lead.

A pivotal moment in their rise was the decisive 32-10 victory over Namibia in the Africa Cup semi-final, signaling Zimbabwe's intent to challenge the continent's top rugby nations.

Head coach Pieter Benade praised the team's progress but emphasized that rankings are a stepping stone toward greater ambitions, particularly qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

"While we don't place excessive importance on rankings, it's undeniable that climbing the ladder provides us with valuable opportunities to face tougher opponents," said Benade. "The climb in rankings is an indication that we are trending in the right direction. Our primary focus remains on achieving our long-term goal of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup, but it needs to be a result of a process where we are doing things correctly both on and off the field."

Benade expressed a desire to organize test matches against higher-ranked teams, such as Romania (20), Chile (21), and Canada (23), to further develop the team.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) President Losson Mtongwiza echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of resources and competitive fixtures in achieving their World Cup ambitions.

"As a union, we would always want to play at the highest level. Resources permitting, we would like to play with teams ranked above us as often as we can," said Mtongwiza. "The goal is to ensure, by all means, that we secure World Cup status and that our local systems enjoy the trickle-down benefits accrued from that level."

The Sables return from their tour with renewed determination, poised to build on their recent successes and continue their ascent in world rugby. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in their sights, the team is not only raising Zimbabwe's profile in the sport but also inspiring a new generation of rugby players across the nation.