ZIMBABWE Sables captain Hilton Mudariki believes his team can defy the odds at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, despite a daunting Pool F draw that pits them against rugby giants England and Wales, as well as the formidable Tonga.
Mudariki, who guided the team to the 2025 Africa Cup title to secure Zimbabwe’s first World Cup appearance since 1991, believes a well-prepared Sables side can register a historic win or two against their high-calibre opponents.
“We are definitely going to go and put our best foot forward,” Mudariki said, following the pool announcement on Wednesday.
“We want to be as competitive as possible. And who knows, if we work towards it, a win or two can happen. We have seen lots of upsets that have happened in World Cup history, so why can’t Zimbabwe do it?”
Mudariki offered a candid assessment of the three nations standing between the Sables and the expanded knockout stages of the 24-team tournament.
On their top-seeded opponent, England, the captain was respectful of their pedigree.
“I think the quality teams in our group, England, have shown how good they are over the last couple of years, and I think they have been performing at a very high standard. They had a very good autumn international season.”
The 33-year-old scrum-half highlighted the strength of the Pacific Islanders, who are known for their uncompromising physicality.
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“Tonga, big men who are very physical islanders, we know that they have got a rich World Cup history, so it will be super cool to come up against them,” he noted.
Even the “struggling” Wales is not underestimated.
“Wales, although struggling in the last couple of years, are still a quality team with quality youngsters that are coming through; and with two years to prepare, they will be very tough opposition,” he added.
Sables team manager Takunda Chifokoyo stressed the importance of the upcoming schedule in preparing the team for the intensity of World Cup rugby.
“Well, there is no easy game for sure,” Chifokoyo remarked. “This is something that we welcome; it’s a great opportunity now that we know.”
A cornerstone of their preparation will be the newly-launched World Rugby Nations Cup in 2026.
Zimbabwe, along with the 11 other teams who qualified for the World Cup, will compete in the competition, which is designed to provide unprecedented competitive matches outside of the major annual tournaments.
“The biggest part of our preparation really is going to be the Nations Cup, the two windows in July and November. Those are going to give us our best tests,” Chifokoyo said.
He added that the union is actively seeking more quality fixtures.
“We do have other conversations going on with other unions as well, to augment the Nations Cup schedule and to also put some quality games in the lead-up to the World Cup. So, some 2027 fixtures that we can build on, possibly play some teams that we are going to face.”
Former Sables captain Denford Mutamangira echoed the sentiment, focusing on the need for physical improvement to match their high-calibre opponents.
“Our conditioning will have to get better, and the Nations Cup, I think, will give us an idea of what to look forward to in terms of the World Cup,” Mutamangira stated. “Definitely, it will be a higher stage, but the Nations Cup will prepare us for that.”
With the draw confirmed and a structured calendar ahead, Mudariki encapsulated the mood in the Sables camp: “We are excited; we will be working hard over the next couple of years. We know that there is still a long way to go, but lots to be excited about and lots to prepare for.”
The journey to Australia in October 2027 is now clearly mapped, and the Sables are ready to embrace the challenge.
