Sables Face Namibia In Crucial World Cup Build-Up Test At National Sports Stadium
Zimbabwe’s Sables have a chance to end a 25-year wait for a home victory over Namibia when the two rivals meet in a Test match at the National Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The 3pm encounter will also give Zimbabwe’s locally based players an opportunity to showcase their talent at the iconic venue for the first time as a squad, with the team using the match to assess its readiness for next year’s Rugby World Cup.
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Namibia Stand Between Sables And Long-Awaited Home Win
Zimbabwe’s last victory over Namibia on home soil came on July 7, 2001, when the Sables edged their opponents 27-26 at Hartsfield in Bulawayo during the Confederation of African Rugby Championship.
More than two decades later, the Sables will attempt to rewrite that record in front of their home supporters, with the occasion carrying added significance because of the fierce rivalry between the neighbouring nations.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports Hub, Head coach Pieter Benade said that the venue and the history between the teams is going to make Saturday’s encounter particularly special.
“Welcoming Namibia, our big Southern Hemisphere and African rival, will be a huge highlight because we have not beaten them in our country for 25 years, so it will certainly be a big match that our boys are up for,” he said.
World Cup Qualification Adds To Rivalry
Namibia were also the opponents Zimbabwe overcame to secure their return to rugby’s biggest stage after a 36-year absence.
The Sables defeated Namibia 30-28 in the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup final in Kampala, Uganda, booking their place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup and ending a wait that stretched back to their last appearance in 1991.
That result has added another chapter to the rivalry, with Saturday’s match offering both teams another opportunity to measure themselves against familiar opposition.
Benade said the atmosphere at the National Sports Stadium would be a major attraction for the players and supporters.
“This doesn’t feel like a friendly; everyone is excited about the venue, so that’s going to be an attraction on its own just from the boys’ point of view and the supporters,” he said.
He added that it had been a long time since a Zimbabwean rugby team played at the stadium, noting that although South African sides had featured there, the occasion was particularly meaningful for the Sables.
Absentees Create Opportunities For Local Players
The Sables will be without at least eight international players for the encounter, opening the door for locally based squad members to step up and stake their claims.
The match will provide Benade with an opportunity to assess the available players, examine the team’s depth and identify areas that require attention ahead of the World Cup.
With Zimbabwe preparing to compete against some of the leading nations in international rugby, performances in matches such as Saturday’s will be important in shaping the team’s preparations.
Sables Face Tough World Cup Group In 2027
Zimbabwe’s return to the Rugby World Cup will present a demanding challenge, with the team drawn alongside England, Wales and Tonga.
The Sables will begin their campaign against Wales at Adelaide Oval on October 2, 2027, before facing England at the same venue on October 8.
Their final group match will be against Tonga at North Queensland Stadium in Townsville.
The tournament will run from October 1 to November 13, 2027, and will feature 24 teams for the first time in the men’s Rugby World Cup.
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