Zimbabwe national rugby union team

Rugby union team

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Zimbabwe women's national rugby union team.

Zimbabwe

Nickname| The Sables
Emblem| Sable antelope
Union| Zimbabwe Rugby Union
Head coach| Pieter Benade
Captain| Hilton Mudariki
Home stadium| Harare Sports Club

First colours

World Rugby ranking
Current| 24 (as of 21 July 2025)
Highest| 24 (2025)
Lowest| 57 (2007, 2008)
First international
Southern Rhodesia 11–24 British and Irish Lions
(Bulawayo, Rhodesia; 30 July 1910)
as Zimbabwe
Kenya 24–34 Zimbabwe
(Nairobi, Kenya, 23 May 1981)
Biggest win
Zimbabwe 130–10 Botswana
(Harare, Zimbabwe 9 September 1996)
Biggest defeat
Namibia 80–6 Zimbabwe
(Windhoek, Namibia; 15 August 2015)
World Cup
Appearances| 2 (first in 1987)
Best result| Pool stage (1987, 1991)
Website| [1]

The Zimbabwe national rugby union team, nicknamed the Sables, represents the Zimbabwe Rugby Union in international competition. While sides representing the colony of Rhodesia have played as early as 1910, the modern day Zimbabwe rugby team did not play its first test until 1981, against Kenya. Zimbabwe has competed in two World Cups, in 1987 and 1991, in place of South Africa, who were sanctioned by the IRB at the time due to apartheid. Zimbabwe is categorized as Tier 3 Development One, which prioritizes Zimbabwe over other nations due to historical success as well as popularity of rugby in the nation.

During the colonial days, the team had an association with touring British Isles teams, who regularly played matches against them in their tours of South Africa; the earliest tour being in 1910 when Zimbabwe was known as Southern Rhodesia. The side has also played New Zealand on several occasions, the first being in the late 1920s; Rhodesia was the only non-Tier 1 nation to defeat the All Blacks, as the Southern Rhodesian side beat New Zealand in 1947.

Zimbabwe currently compete in the Africa Cup. Zimbabwe have won the competition three times, in 2012, 2024, and 2025, beating favourites Namibia in the lattermost tournament to qualify for the 2027 World Cup. They have finished as Africa Cup runners up in 2013, 2014, and 2015. Zimbabwe is one of only 4 nations in Africa to qualify for the Rugby World Cup, the others being heavyweights South Africa, and Namibia and the Ivory Coast. The Sables maintain fierce rivalries with regional neighbors Namibia and Kenya, as the respective three nations have vied for African supremacy since the 2000s.

## History

[edit]

Main article: Rugby union in Zimbabwe

### Pre-internationals (1890–1910)

[edit]

When the Pioneer Column arrived in Rhodesia from the Cape Province in 1890, it brought with it the country's first rugby players. The oldest clubs in the country, Queens and the Bulawayo Athletic Club, were formed in 1894 in Bulawayo and the Rhodesia Rugby Football Union was founded one year later in 1895.[1]

The first tour by a Rhodesian team to South Africa took place in 1898, and was composed of players from the five biggest clubs in the two major settlements of Bulawayo and Salisbury, today known as Harare.

### Southern Rhodesia/Rhodesia era (1910–1979)

[edit]

A British Lions team played a side called Southern Rhodesia on 30 July 1910 in Bulawayo; the British Isles team defeated Southern Rhodesia. In 1924 a British side played another match against Rhodesia, on 24 July in Salisbury, the British won 24 to 11. With this, this was the first formal national side to represent the country. On 14 July 1928, Rhodesia played in Bulawayo against New Zealand, losing 8 to 44.

During their 1938 tour to South Africa, the British Lions played two matches against Rhodesia. The first, taking place on 20 July saw the British win 25 to 11; three days later the British won again, 45 to 11; these matches were played in Salisbury and Bulawayo. The 1949 Rhodesian Rugby team, led by John Morkel, famously beat a touring All Blacks side led by Fred Allen in Bulawayo 10-8 on 27 July 1949. Three days later they drew with the mighty All Blacks in Salisbury 3-3. Allen had infamously told his team that, no matter the circumstance, the team would not complain about touring conditions, as he felt whinging would not change the result on the pitch. In spite of this pact, the team encountered a number of issues which were not voiced properly, including the traveling ship being too small, long travel routes, Māori players being left behind due to racial codes, issues with coaching and not acclimating properly to the heat and conditions.[2]

In 1960, New Zealand returned to play a match on 2 July at Glamis Park, with Rhodesia losing 14 to 29, though gave the All Blacks a scare yet again, with the game being tied 6 all by half time. The 1962 tour of South Africa by the British Lions had Rhodesia as the opening fixture on the tour. The opening game of the Lions tour saw the visitors win in Bulawayo, beating Rhodesia 38 to 9 on 26 May. The next tour, in 1962, the Lions won in Salisbury, beating the side 32 to 6. In 1973 Rhodesia played a one-off match against Italy, winning 42 to 4. In 1970, Rhodesia played New Zealand for the last time on 27 July, losing 14 to 27. Overall, Rhodesia had played New Zealand 5 times, winning once and drawing once. In 1974, the Lions were back at Salisbury where they defeated Rhodesia 42 to 6. A number of players born in Rhodesia during the 1960s and 1970s were capped for other international sides, such as Gary Teichmann, David Curtis, and Bobby Skinstad.[3] Rhodesia's rugby playing strength reached its peak in the early to mid-1970s seasons when the country possessed 49 clubs, putting together 102 teams.[4]

Record against Tier One nations prior to 1980

Opponent  | Played  | Won  | Lost  | Drawn  | Win %  | For  | Aga  | Diff

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Argentina | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 17 | 12 | +5
Australia | 5 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0.00% | 29 | 106 | -77
British and Irish Lions | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0.00% | 83 | 265 | -182
France | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.00% | 24 | 66 | -42
Ireland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 24 | -24
Italy | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | 42 | 4 | +38
New Zealand | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 20.00% | 49 | 111 | -62
Total | 25 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 12.00% | 244 | 588 | -344

### Zimbabwe era (1980–present)

[edit]

#### 1980s and 1990s - The Golden Generation

[edit]

In 1980, the Rhodesia Rugby Football Union was renamed the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, reflecting the end of white minority rule in Zimbabwe, and the beginning of the new state. Previously, the Rhodesia side was exclusively all-white, in contrast to the East Africa Tuskers which had been integrated. However, the new Zimbabwe side was instead integrated, including both black and white players. A tour to England was undertaken that year playing six matches, the first against Surrey at Twickenham and one of the others being against Gloucestershire at Kingsholm on 1 October.[5] That same year, the ZRU severed all its ties to the South African Rugby Board due to mounting pressure to boycott the apartheid regime; while Zimbabwe gained international acceptance as a rugby side, they no longer had teams in the Currie Cup and other South African competitions.

They played their first international game as Zimbabwe on 7 July 1981 against Kenya, winning 34 to 24. Throughout the 1980s, Zimbabwe played a variety of opponents and enjoyed a decent amount of success, defeating opponents such as Spain and the Soviet Union; in the victory over the Soviet Union, history was made as Richard Tsimba became the first black player for Zimbabwe. In 1987, Zimbabwe was invited to partake in the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup to represent the African continent, instead of South Africa, who were under sanction due to apartheid; the Sables lost all 3 of their matches, although came on the verge of upsetting Romania (losing by 1 point), a game which featured a two try performance by Richard Tsimba. The following year in 1988, Zimbabwe became one of the charter members of Rugby Africa, alongside the Ivory Coast, Morocco and Tunisia.

In 1990, Zimbabwe participated in the first Rugby World Cup qualifying competition for the African continent. The team topped a group consisting of the Ivory Coast, Morocco, and Tunisia, qualifying for the 1991 Rugby World Cup. However, the Sables lost all their 3 matches to Ireland, Japan, and Scotland by fairly large margins. After this World Cup many players from Zimbabwe's "Golden Generation" retired. Namibia and later Kenya entered the scene, challenging the original four charter members of Rugby Africa, and the slow deterioration of the Zimbabwean economy in the 1990s and into the 2000s caused many rugby players (both black and white) to leave the country for opportunities elsewhere.[citation needed] An example of this is Kennedy Tsimba, who initially played as a Zimbabwe international, but later switched to South Africa due to the political and economic situation.[6]

Zimbabwe finished last in the round robin for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and finished third in the 1999 qualifying round robin.

#### 2000s - Decline

[edit]

As with many other sports, over the years, numerous talented young Zimbabwean rugby players have emigrated to play for other nations, mainly South Africa but also Australia, Scotland and other European countries. This trend has continued with players being attracted abroad by better playing and coaching facilities, as well as being pushed by the ever-declining economic climate in their country of origin.

The Sables began the decade in poor form, losing all four of their matches in the 2000 Africa Cup, against Namibia and a South African Amateur XV; the team narrowly improved in the following edition in 2001, being able to defeat Namibia once by the score of 27 to 26. In the penultimate 2002 edition, Zimbabwe played a close and tense game against Namibia in Harare, but ultimately lost 30 to 42, failing to qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

As the decade continued, Zimbabwe slowly faded from the African rugby scene; the 2004 campaign was disastrous, as Zimbabwe lost to Madagascar for the first time, and were later thrashed by Namibia. The 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifying campaign was also a disaster, with Zimbabwe losing to Zambia, an opponent they had traditionally dominated. By 2008, the Sables hit rock bottom, losing in the first round of the qualifying for the 2011 World Cup.

#### 2010s - Revival

[edit]

The 2010s began with hope for Zimbabwe. The Sables won Pool C of the 2010 Africa Cup, beating Botswana and Madagascar, although the final stages were cancelled and Zimbabwe could not compete for the title. The following year, after a reform of the Africa Cup divisions, Zimbabwe were placed in Group 1B, alongside familiar foes the Ivory Coast and Madagascar and Uganda. Zimbabwe won the division, defeating both Madagascar and Uganda.

They won the Africa Cup for the first time in 2012.

Zimbabwe won the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup, upsetting nine-time champions Namibia in the semi-final, their first victory over their southern African rivals in 23 years.[7] Zimbabwe repeated this feat in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup, defeating Namibia 30-28 in the final and qualifying for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, their first since 1991.[8]

### Notable Zimbabweans who have represented other nations

[edit]

Over the years, Zimbabwe have lost much of their rugby talent to other countries. The list of Zimbabwean players who have left to ply their trade elsewhere includes:

* Don Armand \- England, Stormers & Exeter Chiefs flanker
* Tonderai Chavhanga \- Springbok, Stormers, Sharks, Lions & Newport Dragons winger. Scored a record 6 tries on international debut for South Africa
* Lovejoy Chawatama \- London Irish, Harlequins, and Bristol Bears prop
* David Curtis \- Ireland centre, father of Angus Curtis
* Angus Curtis \- Ulster & Irish U20 flyhalf/centre
* David Denton \- Scotland, Edinburgh, Bath, Worcester & Leicester Tigers flanker/eighthman
* Pieter Dixon \- Bath & Stormers hooker
* Thom Evans \- Glasgow Warriors, London Wasps & Scotland winger/fullback. Cousin of Kai Horstmann
* Dave Ewers \- Exeter Chiefs, Ulster, and Western Province flanker
* Adrian Garvey \- Springbok prop, also represented Zimbabwe
* Kyle Godwin \- Wallaby, Western Force, Brumbies & Connacht centre
* Scott Gray \- Scotland, Bath & Northampton flanker
* Kai Horstmann \- England 7's, Worcester, Harlequins & Exeter Chiefs flanker/eighthman. Cousin of Thom Evans
* Marco Mama \- Bristol, Worcester Captain & Zimbabwe U20 flanker/eighthman
* Andy Marinos \- Wales centre, CEO of SANZAAR & Rugby Australia
* Nils Mordt \- Saracens, London Irish, Harlequins, Northampton Saints & England 7s. Nephew of Ray Mordt.
* Ray Mordt \- Springbok winger who was the first Springbok to score a hatrick of tries against the All Blacks. Uncle of Nils Mordt
* Tendai Mtawarira \- Springbok & Sharks & 2019 Rugby World Cup winning prop
* Brian Mujati \- Springbok, Sale Sharks, Racing 92, Ospreys, Stormers & Lions prop
* Sebastian Negri \- Italy & Benetton Treviso flanker
* Takudzwa Ngwenya \- USA & Biarritz winger, who famously scored the try of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, rounding Bryan Habana in the process
* David Pocock \- Wallaby captain, Western Force & Brumbies flanker/eighthman. 3x nominated for Rugby Player of the year.
* Bobby Skinstad \- Springbok Captain, Sharks, Stormers & Lions & eighthman who won the 2007 World Cup
* David Smith \- Springbok centre
* Eli Snyman \- Leicester Tigers, Blue Bulls, Benetton Treviso & Springbok U20 lock
* Gary Teichmann \- Springbok Captain & eighthman
* Des van Jaarsveldt \- Springboks and Rhodesia captain
* Mike Williams \- Leicester, Worcester & Bath lock/flanker

Former Saracens CEO, Bath Chairman and SA Rugby CEO (whilst triumphant in the 1995 World Cup) Edward Griffiths was born in Zimbabwe.

Other players of Zimbabwean origin include All Black centre Braydon Ennor, Springbok scrumhalf Ross Cronje and Japan winger Kotaro Matsushima.

Many other Zimbabwe-born players are playing at top levels in New Zealand, South Africa, Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and other nations across Europe.

## Record

[edit]

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Zimbabwe national XV at test level up until 19 July 2025. [9]

Nation  | Games  | Won  | Lost  | Drawn  | Win%  | For  | Aga  | Diff

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Algeria | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 41 | 23 | +18
Arabian Gulf | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 50 | 21 | +29
Belgium | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 28 | –17
Botswana | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 237 | 23 | +214
Brazil | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 24 | 22 | +2
Burkina Faso | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 196 | 8 | +188
France | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 12 | 70 | –58
Georgia | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% | 35 | 58 | –23
Hong Kong | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | 29 | 86 | –57
Ireland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 11 | 55 | –44
Italy | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | 25 | 70 | –45
Ivory Coast | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 60% | 105 | 70 | +35
Japan | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 8 | 52 | +44
Kenya | 25 | 15 | 10 | 0 | 60% | 649 | 594 | +55
Madagascar | 11 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 81.82% | 368 | 155 | +213
Mauritius | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 14 | 6 | +8
Morocco | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 60% | 112 | 55 | +57
Namibia | 36 | 5 | 31 | 0 | 13.89% | 756 | 1311 | —555
Netherlands | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 30 | 7 | +23
Nigeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 111 | 12 | +99
Papua New Guinea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 38 | 11 | +27
Portugal | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% | 113 | 72 | +41
Romania | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0% | 84 | 123 | –39
Russia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | 35 | 92 | –57
South Korea | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 27 | 22 | +5
Scotland | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% | 33 | 111 | –78
Senegal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 49 | 31 | +18
Soviet Union | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 50% | 65 | 66 | –1
Spain | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28.57% | 108 | 153 | –45
Tonga | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0% | 13 | 42 | –29
Tunisia | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 66.67% | 153 | 93 | +60
Uganda | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 68.75% | 380 | 307 | +73
United Arab Emirates | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 127 | 36 | +91
Wales | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0% | 38 | 126 | –88
Zambia | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 85.71% | 260 | 51 | +209
Total | 171 | 81 | 89 | 1 | 47.37% | 4364 | 4076 | +288

### World Cup record

[edit]

Main article: Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup

Rugby World Cup record |  | Qualification

|
|

Year  | Round  | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | Squad  | Head coach  | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA
1987 | Pool stage  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 53  | 151  | Squad | B. Murphy  | Invited
1991 | Pool stage  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 3  | 31  | 158  | Squad | I. Buchanan  | 1st  | 3  | 3  | 0  | 0  | 62  | 12
1995 | Did not qualify | 3rd  | 6  | 3  | 0  | 3  | 169  | 120
1999 | 3rd  | 5  | 2  | 0  | 3  | 124  | 95
2003 | 2nd  | 2  | 1  | 0  | 1  | 82  | 45
2007 | P/O  | 4  | 2  | 0  | 2  | 55  | 84
2011 | 3rd  | 1  | 0  | 0  | 1  | 21  | 35
2015 | P/O | 6  | 3  | 0  | 3  | 175  | 126
2019 | 5th  | 10  | 2  | 1  | 7  | 250  | 319
2023 | P/O  | 4  | 3  | 0  | 1  | 253  | 53
2027 | Qualified | 1st  | 6  | 6  | 0  | 0  | 185  | 92
2031 | To be determined | To be determined
Total  | —  | 6  | 0  | 0  | 6  | 84  | 309  | —  | —  | —  | 47  | 25  | 1  | 21  | 1376  | 991

* Champions
* Runners–up
* Third place
* Fourth place
* Home venue

## Players

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

On 1 July 31 players were called up to play in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.[10] Bruce Houston was officially announced to be joining the squad on 11 July.[11]

Head Coach: Pieter Benade

* Caps correct as of 1 July where information available.

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player  | Position | Date of birth (age)  | Caps  | Club/province

|
|
|
|

Liam Larkan | Hooker |  (1995-11-28) 28 November 1995 (age 29) | 8  |  Pirates Club Johannesburg
Matthew Mandioma | Hooker |  (1992-02-26) 26 February 1992 (age 33) | 52  |  Old Hararians
Bryan Chiang | Hooker |  (2005-04-25) 25 April 2005 (age 20) | 4  |  Broughton Park RFC
Bornwell Gwinji | Prop |  (1997-04-15) 15 April 1997 (age 28) | 15  |  Gernika RT
Cleopas Kundiona | Prop |  (1998-12-15) 15 December 1998 (age 26) | 15  |  Northampton Saints
Victor Mupunga | Prop |  (1999-08-28) 28 August 1999 (age 25) | 9  |  Union Sportive Bressane
Brian Makamure | Prop |  (1990-09-19) 19 September 1990 (age 34) |  |  Old Hararians
Tyran Fagan | Prop |  (1992-04-25) 25 April 1992 (age 33) | 12  |  Gernika RT
Zvikomborero Chimoto | Prop | {{{age}}}  | 6  |  Old Hararians
Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa | Lock |  (1993-09-09) 9 September 1993 (age 31) | 7  |  Budowlani Lublin
Simba Siraha | Lock |  (2003-02-06) 6 February 2003 (age 22) | 6  |  Rugby Białystok
Tadiwanashe Gwashu | Lock | {{{age}}}  | 6  |  Harare Sports Club
Brian Nyaude | Lock |  (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 (age 30) | 15  |  Old Hararians
Godfrey Muzanargwo | Back row |  (1998-11-13) 13 November 1998 (age 26) | 9  |  Valke
Aiden Burnett | Back row |  (1997-08-06) 6 August 1997 (age 28) | 32  |  Old Hararians
Jason Fraser | Back row |  (1991-04-15) 15 April 1991 (age 34) | 3  |  Nevers
Dylan Utete | Back row |  (2000-04-24) 24 April 2000 (age 25) | 5  |  Okman Rugby
Tinotenda Mavesere | Back row |  (1998-10-17) 17 October 1998 (age 26) | 7  |  Sharks
Keegan Joubert | Scrum-half |  (2000-07-25) 25 July 2000 (age 25) | 6  |  Durbell RFC
Hilton Mudariki | Scrum-half |  (1992-04-08) 8 April 1992 (age 33) | 53  |  Old Hararians
Tyrone Gombe | Scrum-half |  (2006-11-28) 28 November 2006 (age 18) | 3  |  Western Province
Ian Prior | Fly-half |  (1990-08-21) 21 August 1990 (age 34) | 4  |  Associates Rugby Club
Lenience Tambwera | Fly-half |  (1993-02-01) 1 February 1993 (age 32) | 36  |  Harare Sports Club
Bruce Houston | Fly-half |  (1999-08-26) 26 August 1999 (age 25) | 0  |  Union Sportive Bressane
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi | Centre |  (1997-02-17) 17 February 1997 (age 28) | 9  |  Okman Rugby
Kudzai Mashawi | Centre |  (1993-01-07) 7 January 1993 (age 32) | 23  |  Harare Sports Club
Dion Khumalo | Centre | {{{age}}}  | 9  |  Old Hararians
Matthew McNab | Wing |  (1998-06-08) 8 June 1998 (age 27) | 11  |  Doncaster Knights
Edward Sigauke | Wing |  (2004-01-28) 28 January 2004 (age 21) | 6  |  Varsity College Rugby Club
Trevor Gurwe | Wing | {{{age}}}  | 7  |  Old Georgians
Takudzwa Musingwini | Wing |  (2002-08-25) 25 August 2002 (age 22) | 8  |  Iowa Central Community College Rugby
Tapiwa Mafura | Fullback |  (1996-04-11) 11 April 1996 (age 29) | 7  |  Lions

## Zimbabwe Goshawks

[edit]

The following players were included in the Zimbabwe Goshawks squad for the 2023 Currie Cup First Division:[12]

Zimbabwe Goshawks

Props

* Zvikomborero Chimoto
* Bornwell Gwinji
* Patrick Macklin
* Brian Makamure
* Tomuvonga Msasanure
* Tawanda Mudyiwa
* Kevin Nqidi
* Scotty Patson

Hookers

* Liam Larkan
* Neil Mawere
* Vuyiswa Mpofu

Locks

* Innocent Chimcheka
* Tadiwa Gwashu
* Dave Makamba

Loose forwards

* Aiden Burnett
* Tonderai Chiwambutsa
* Aaron Juma
* Kelvin Kanenungo
* Gideon Maseka
* Simbarashe Siraha

Scrum-halves

* Ngonidzashe Mazarura
* Hilton Mudariki (c)
* Pride Nyameni

Fly-halves

* Tino Chipfumbu
* Jerry Jaravaza
* Takudzwa Musingwini
* Benji Pattenden

Centres

* Russell Dinha
* Leon Misichilli
* MacLean Muhambi
* Tamuka Pamire
* Boyd Rouse

Wingers

* Darrel Makwasha
* Calvin Mukoyi
* Kenneth Murefu
* Gamu Nekato

Fullbacks

* Brendon Marume
* Martin Mangongo
* Cleytos Sunduza

(c) Denotes team captain and Bold denotes internationally capped.

## List of Coaches

[edit]

Since 1987

Years  | Coach

|

1987 |  Brian Murphy
1988–1989 |  Colin Osborne
1990–1992 |  Ian Buchanan
1992–1996 |  Colin Osborne
1997–1998 |  John Knox
1998 |  Alex Nicholls (Interim)
1999–2001 |  Mark Donato
2001–2003 |  Godwin Murambiwa
2003 |  Alex Nicholls (Interim)
2004 |  Bright Chivandire
2005–2006 |  Chris Lampard
2007–2010 |  Brendon Dawson
2011 |  Cyprian Mandenge (Caretaker)
2012–2014 |  Brendon Dawson
2015–2017 |  Cyprian Mandenge
2018–2019 |  Peter de Villiers
2019–2023 |  Brendon Dawson
2024–present |  Pieter Benade

## See also

[edit]

* Zimbabwe Rugby Union
* Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup
* Zimbabwe national rugby sevens team
* Africa Cup

## References

[edit]

Notes

1. ^ "Zim Rugby -About ZRU". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
2. ^ "The Day Rhodesia Beat the All Blacks". rugby-talk.com. 25 April 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
3. ^ "Zim Rugby -About ZRU". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
4. ^ "Zim Rugby -About ZRU". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
5. ^ "Bridgend V Gloucester programme" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
6. ^ Allie, Mohammed (18 March 2002). "The king of Bloemfontein". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
7. ^ "Zimbabwe's Sables Triumph Over Namibia 32-10 to Reach Africa Cup Final – The Zimbabwe Mail". www.thezimbabwemail.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 28 July 2024.
8. ^ "Zimbabwe Qualify for Rugby World Cup 2027 and end 34 year wait". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
9. ^ "Rugbydata.com - International Rugby Union Statistics - Statistics for Zimbabwe - Teams Played". Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 23 October 2007.
10. ^ Sables 2025 Africa Cup Squad announcement
11. ^ Muhumuza, Joseph (12 July 2025). "McNab, Houston to blitz Zimbabwe Sables through tough Kenya Simbas". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
12. ^ "Zimbabwe Goshawks". SA Rugby. Retrieved 28 March 2022.[permanent dead link]

Sources

* About ZRU Zimbabwe Rugby Union Retrieved 17 February 2006.
* Rhodesia profile RugbyData Retrieved 17 February 2006.
* Zimbabwe profile RugbyData Retrieved 17 February 2006.
* Lions timeline LionsRugby Retrieved 18 February 2006.

## External links

[edit]

* Zimbabwe Sables on Twitter
* The Sables on Instagram
* Zimbabwe Rugby Union (archived)

* v
* t
* e

Rugby union in Zimbabwe

Governing body|

* Zimbabwe Rugby Union

National teams|

* Zimbabwe
* Women's
* 7's
* U-20

Competitions|

* Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup
* Africa Cup
* Victoria Cup

British Lions tours|

* 1910
* 1924
* 1938
* 1955
* 1968
* 1974

Related articles|

* 1949 Rhodesia vs New Zealand rugby union match
* Ian McIntosh
* Ray Mordt
* Takudzwa Ngwenya
* Tonderai Chavhanga

* v
* t
* e

International men's rugby union teams

Tier 1 teams|

* Argentina
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Emerging teams with
Rugby World Cup participation|

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(World Rugby members)|

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* United Arab Emirates
* Uzbekistan
* Vanuatu
* Venezuela
* Zambia

Teams not affiliated
to World Rugby|

| Rugby Africa|

* Benin
* Chad
* Congo
* Democratic Republic of the Congo
* Egypt
* Libya
* Niger
* Seychelles

|

Asia Rugby|

* Bangladesh
* Cambodia
* Macau

Rugby Europe|

* Belarus
* Estonia
* Iceland
* Kosovo
* Liechtenstein
* Montenegro
* San Marino

Rugby Americas North|

* Curaçao
* Dominican Republic
* Guadeloupe
* Martinique
* Turks and Caicos Islands

Oceania Rugby|

* French Polynesia (Tahiti)
* Nauru
* New Caledonia
* Wallis and Futuna

Sudamerica Rugby|

* Ecuador
* El Salvador

Combination teams|

* African Leopards
* British & Irish Lions
* Pacific Islanders
* South American XV

Teams with affiliation suspended
or without affiliation|

* Armenia
* Bahrain
* Basque Country
* Catalonia
* Gibraltar
* Greece
* Mauritania
* Russia

Teams affiliated to the FFR|

* Mayotte
* Réunion

Defunct teams|

* Arabian Gulf
* Commonwealth of Independent States
* Czechoslovakia
* East Africa
* East Germany
* Nyasaland (Malawi)
* Serbia and Montenegro
* Soviet Union
* West Germany
* Yugoslavia

* v
* t
* e

Rugby Africa Cup

Current Teams (2021–22)|

* Algeria
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cameroon
* Ghana
* Ivory Coast
* Kenya
* Madagascar
* Namibia
* Nigeria
* Senegal
* Tunisia
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Tournaments|

| Rugby Africa Cup|

* 2019–20
* 2021–22

|

U20 Barthés Trophy|

* 2021

Past Tournaments|

| Africa Cup|

* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008–09
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019

|

Africa Trophy|

* 2009
* 2010

Second Division|

* 2002
* 2003

CAR Development Trophy|

* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010

CAR U19 Cup|

* African Rugby Under-19 Cup

Rugby Africa Women's Cup

* v
* t
* e

National sports teams of Zimbabwe

* Badminton
* Baseball
* Basketball
* M
* W
* Cricket
* M
* M A
* M-19
* W
* W-19
* Field hockey
* M
* W
* W-21
* Football
* M
* M U/20
* M U/17
* W
* W U/20
* W U/17
* Futsal
* Korfball
* Netball
* Rugby union
* M
* M U-20
* W
* M7
* Softball
* M
* W
* Tennis
* M
* W
* X

* Olympics
* Paralympics
* Deaflympics‎
* Commonwealth Games
* African Games

*[Pld]: Games played
*[W]: Won
*[D]: Drawn
*[L]: Lost
*[PF]: Points for
*[PA]: Points against
*[Pos]: Position
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template