‘We can surprise people’: Hall of Famer Tsimba reacts to Zim’s World Cup draw
- vimbayi makwavarara
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
BY ENOCK MUCHINJO
HARARE – Former Zimbabwe rugby captain Kennedy Tsimba says the Sables’ resurgence over the past few years has given them a fighting chance of challenging their more fancied opponents at the World Cup in 2027.
Returnees Zimbabwe were placed in a tough Group F alongside England, Wales and Tonga in a draw held in host country Australia on Wednesday.
“These are three quality opponents full of world-class rugby stars,” Tsimba told SportsCast on Wednesday.
“England bring structure, discipline, and are in good form currently. Wales will bring an unpredictable edge to the table, and Tonga will bring enormous physicality. Each team has strengths, but they also have moments where they can be challenged if the tempo is high and the game becomes unstructured.”
World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Tsimba believes Zimbabwe will not be pushovers on their first World Cup appearance since 1991, despite going into the tournament as unfancied outsiders.
“Zimbabwe will be underdogs, but we are a nation built on resilience,” he said.
“If we play with smart speed, skill, and our natural flair, we can surprise people.”
Tsimba, Zimbabwe’s first black captain, is familiar with the rugby culture of the two major countries in the Sables’ pool.
The legendary flyhalf was one of the earliest Zimbabwean internationals to play in the English Premiership when he made five appearances for Bath in the 1997-98 season.
He then played against Wales on their tour of Southern Africa in 1998. Tsimba kicked two penalties while scrumhalf Ryan Bekker scored a try in Zimbabwe’s 49-11 defeat to the Welsh at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
“Wales in 1998 were very talented, but the modern game has evolved,” remarked Tsimba.
“Today’s Wales are going through some tough times as they look to reset back to glory days. Zimbabwe has also gone through a reset. We’re not the same nation we were then. Our players have more exposure, more professionalism and more belief.”
51-year-old Tsimba, an assistant coach at South African franchise Bulls, didn’t get a chance to go to the World Cup during his illustrious playing career.
The Tsimba family name however has a prominent print on the tournament.
His late older brother and fellow Hall Famer Richard Tsimba – Zimbabwe’s first black international – was one of four players to feature in all two previous World Cups appearances by the Sables in 1987 and 1991.
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