PRESIDENT of Rugby Africa, Herbert Mensah, has reaffirmed the continental body’s strong backing for the Zimbabwe national rugby team, the Sables, as they prepare for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Mensah arrived in Harare on Tuesday as part of a visit aimed at strengthening rugby structures in the country and rallying national support behind the Sables following their qualification for the global showpiece.
“Happy and excited to touch the earth and to be back amongst these great, great people. Zimbabwe have now qualified for the World Cup,” Mensah said.
“Yes, they have been through all kinds of difficulty, but I have made it a mainstay of my tenure as president of Rugby Africa to ensure that Zimbabwe is supported.”
He called on Zimbabweans to unite behind the national team and place the country’s interests above personal differences, saying unity would be crucial to the growth of rugby in the country.
“To create that stability and to ask everybody to come together to wave that Zimbabwean flag and to think Zimbabwe first, me second. That is a critical issue,” he said.
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Mensah also emphasised the need to support both the players and the new administrative structures guiding the sport.
“What we need to do is support those extraordinary players, support the new structures that are being put in place, and support those who have been there for Zimbabwe during the difficult times,” he added.
Mensah’s connection with Zimbabwean rugby dates back decades. In 1985, he played for the Mashonaland provincial side in a tour match against the Italy national rugby union team, where he scored the winning try.
The experience forged a lasting bond with Zimbabwe’s rugby community — a relationship that has continued under his leadership at continental level.
Rugby in Zimbabwe is currently being overseen by an Interim Management Committee appointed with the approval of Rugby Africa following governance disputes within the Zimbabwe Rugby Union. The move is intended to stabilise the sport and prepare the national team for upcoming international competitions.
Mensah said the committee reports directly to Rugby Africa and operates under the sanction of World Rugby, ensuring the sport remains aligned with global governance standards.
“There is no government interference because the structure reports back to us at Rugby Africa and we are sanctioned by World Rugby. And by the way, I do sit on the Executive Board of World Rugby, so it is with full authority that we support Zimbabwe in this request,” he said.
Mensah was also present at the official launch of Zimbabwe’s Rugby World Cup campaign yesterday, which brought together key stakeholders and figures from across the rugby community.
Among those in attendance were David Gilbert, Steph Nel, members of the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, the Interim Management Committee and other partners supporting the growth of the game.
The event was graced by Emily Jesaya, deputy minister of Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture, who attended as guest of honour.
“The campaign launch is critical as we build momentum for the Sables’ journey towards the Rugby World Cup 2027,” Mensah said, underscoring the importance of public and institutional backing for Zimbabwe’s participation on the global stage.
“And I think I have the honour of meeting the great man himself, His Excellency the President. I really want to tell him how proud I am of his country and his beautiful people,” he said.
Looking ahead, Mensah said strong institutional support and national unity would help place Zimbabwe firmly on the global rugby map, giving the Sables a platform to shine during the 2027 tournament and beyond.
“I believe that if we have some level of equity to football, we will have a sport that is on the global map at the right time, in the right place, in the lead-up and post the World Cup for everybody to recognise the greatness of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Before turning their attention to the World Cup, however, the Sables face an immediate test.
In July, Zimbabwe will compete in the World Rugby Nations Cup against formidable opponents including Tonga national rugby union team, United States national rugby union team and Canada national rugby union team.