World Rugby chair Brett Robinson and Rugby Africa president Herbert Mensah to visit Zimbabwe as Sables prepare for Rugby World Cup

World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and Rugby Africa President Herbert Mensah will journey to Zimbabwe on a five-day visit starting August 23, ahead of the Sables' debut in the Rugby World Cup after securing qualification for the 2027 tournament in Australia. This visit aims to discuss various facets of Zimbabwe's rugby development, including player welfare, high-performance structures, investment, governance, and long-term growth of the sport in the nation.

The delegation will engage with senior government officials, rugby stakeholders, and partners during the trip. Brett Robinson, elected Chair of World Rugby in November 2024, believes Zimbabwe serves as a prime example of the sport's growth and progress across Africa and beyond. The Sables' qualification for the Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 is a testament to this progress, and Robinson is confident the Zimbabwean people will rally behind their team as they represent their country on one of sport's grandest stages.

Herbert Mensah, President of Rugby Africa and Executive Board Member at World Rugby, emphasized the importance of Zimbabwe's return to the Rugby World Cup after a 36-year absence and the new World Rugby Nations Cup, which provides more regular high-level Test rugby to strengthen the competitive pathway for nations preparing for the World Cup.

Robinson's visit also holds a personal significance as the Australian former Wallaby previously played rugby in Zimbabwe, adding a unique dimension to the delegation's discussions on how the momentum generated by World Cup qualification can lead to sustainable development across the game.