SIMBARASHE CHINGANGA
MIRROR REPORTER

HARARE- The Zimbabwe national rugby team, the Sables, are set to host Namibia at the National Sports Stadium (NSS) in Harare next Saturday, some 28 years after hosting its last international fixture.
The last international match at the NSS was Sables against Wales on June 6, 1998. Sables suffered a 49–11 defeat.
Sables Coach Pieter Benade told Masvingo Mirror that the fixture would attract a large crowd.
“Playing at the newly renovated stadium is very special, and I’m certain many fans will attend purely to experience the iconic venue,” said Benade.
The fixture is part of an initiative to explore the use of larger, multi-purpose venues for rugby, moving beyond traditional home grounds such as Harare Sports Club and Hartsfield Rugby Grounds in Bulawayo.
Sables are out to rewrite history having failed to beat Namibia at home for nearly 25 years. The Sables have won just four of 35 encounters.
Benade said that his charges are confident after defeating Namibia 30–28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on July 19, 2025. The win also marked the Sables’ first return to the Rugby World Cup stage since 1991.
The encounter will also serve as preparation for the Sables upcoming Rugby World Cup Nations Cup campaign in England and France in November 2026. Zimbabwe is scheduled to face Samoa and Chile in England before taking on Uruguay in France.
“We have massive respect for Namibia as a rugby nation, and we know it will be a special occasion for the players, coaches, but more importantly, our supporters.
“We have not played many matches in Zimbabwe over the last few years, so inviting a team of the calibre of Namibia will be something all fans will want to see.
“It is a historic occasion, and we hope to enjoy a special day with our supporters,” said Benade.