By Zim Sport Live Writer
Zimbabwe rugby team captain Hilton Mudariki has dedicated the Sables’ qualification for their first Rugby World Cup in 34 years to the entire nation.
The Sables dug deep to hold off a late fightback from Namibia to lift the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup title following a hard-fought 30-28 victory at Mandela National Stadium in Uganda on Saturday and qualify for Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia.
This will be Zimbabwe’s first appearance in the rugby showpiece since 1991.
Mudariki who led his charges from the front with a composed display as his charges stretched their two-year winning streak to 13 matches said their impressive win against a formidable Namibian side was for the people back home.
“This is for the over 15 million people back home and around the world,” an elated Mudariki said.
“It is a lot to take in at the moment but I am very happy that we remained focused and treated each game like it was our last
“Tonight we celebrate being the trophy back home and never lose sight of a bigger calling ahead,” he said.
The Sables went into Saturday’s final as Rugby Africa Cup holders, having defeated Namibia in last year’s semi-finals.
It was 16-16 at half-time, but Godfrey Muzanargwo and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi appeared to have put Zimbabwe firmly in control with tries early in the second period.
Jay-Cee Nel and Adriaan Booysen then crossed the line for a Namibia team coached by former Saracens back row Jacques Burger, making it a two-point game with 10 minutes remaining.
However, Burger’s side could not find the crucial score needed to overturn the deficit, seeing substitute Tiaan Swanepoel fire a penalty from inside his own half wide of the posts in the 79th minute.
The result brings to an end an era of dominance for the Welwitschias, who had reached the past seven Rugby World Cups, with Ivory Coast the only other African nation to come through the continent’s qualifiers in 1995.
While Zimbabwe have now confirmed their place alongside holders South Africa, Namibia do still have a chance of reaching the newly expanded World Cup.
They face the United Arab Emirates, runners-up at the Asia Rugby Men’s Championship, next Saturday in a play-off for the right to take part in the four-team Final Qualification Tournament, which will be held in Dubai in November.
Meanwhile Muzanargwo was named the player of the match while flyhalf Ian Prior was named the player of the tournament.