The Sunday Mail
Petros Kausiyo
While Zimbabwe failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup which ended in Yokohama yesterday with England and South Africa squaring off, it has emerged that the Springboks’ fairy tale run is a huge inspiration for the Sables.
The Springboks made the Rugby World Cup final for the first time in 12 years and have risen from the ashes of despair their country felt when Allister Coetzee’s team conceded consecutive 57 pointers in 2016 and 2017.
That phenomenal rise has not escaped the attention of Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani, who told The Sunday Mail Sport that his Union derived a number of lessons from the global showcase, which will be used in the domestic game.
Jani and one of his deputies, Losson Mtongwiza, are in Japan where they watched a sublime England upstage New Zealand 19-7 to reach their first World Cup final since 2007.
The ZRU duo, who were joined in Japan by businessmen and former Sables managers Bongai Zamchiya and Kisset Chirengende, then watched the Springboks turn on the power to edge past Wales with a close 19-16 victory in the other semi-final.
Jani noted that the presence of Zimbabwean-born prop Tendai “Beast’’ Mtawarira in the Springboks line-up will continue to serve as a huge inspiration for the young players in the country.
Although he chose to play for the Springboks at international level, Mtawarira, with a record 117 caps for South Africa, has not turned his back on Zimbabwe.
He has been involved in a number of programmes to uplift the game in his country, a development that Jani acknowledges.
“Beast is amazing and certainly represents the potential that Zimbabwean players have.
“He shows us the meaning of success in rugby. We are also encouraged by the level of genuine black representation in the Springboks. This is the best way to encourage and recruit youngsters into rugby.
“South Africans are not only Africans, they are our neighbours and very close partners in rugby. Their success confirms that we have chosen a good rugby partner and mentor,’’ Jani said.
“Not so long ago, we played Japan in the Junior World Trophy. It shows us that with focus, commitment and resources, the sky is the limit.
“Japan had a plan 10 years ago, they were patient and stayed the course. We can only learn and I believe this is only the beginning for them.”
The ZRU boss also reflected on Zimbabwe’s successes at the Under-20 level, where the Young Sables are a regular feature at the Junior World Cup.
“World Trophy participation indicates the future of your rugby. The idea is to do well in the World Trophy, leading to a promotion to the Junior World Cup which represents the top eight countries of rugby.
“We must focus on this age group and improve on our rankings,’’ Jani said.
Zimbabwe has been losing a host of talented players to different countries, especially after they leave school.
It is, therefore, one of the objectives for Jani’s leadership to ensure that the Sables and the Cheetahs retain the bulk of that talent.
The ZRU boss insists that their major target is to see the senior team qualifying for the 2023 World Cup.
The Cheetahs, who were at the Sevens World Cup in San Francisco, United States, last year, are also eyeing a place at the 2020 Olympics and a return to the World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2022.
