Harare, Zimbabwe | Less than 24 hours after landing back on home soil, the Zimbabwe Sables wasted no time reconnecting with their roots, embarking on a spirited trophy parade across Harare to celebrate their historic back-to-back Rugby Africa Cup victory and qualification for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Led by captain Hilton Mudariki and head coach Pieter Benade, and accompanied by team sponsors Nedbank Zimbabwe and officials from the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), the Sables made a symbolic return to the people—those they represent every time they take the field.
The celebrations kicked off at Africa Unity Square in the heart of Harare’s CBD, where elated fans and supporters gathered to take pictures with the players and the trophy.
The convoy, featuring the team bus and a music-blaring roadshow van, then rolled through Highfield, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest and most vibrant neighbourhoods.
School children, street vendors, and passers-by all joined in the jubilation, cheering “MaSables edu!” — “Our Sables” — in a clear show of national pride.
What began as a parade quickly turned into a street fiesta, as dancing, drumming, and spontaneous chants filled the air.
Captain Hilton Mudariki said, “We really mean it when we say it’s not just for the team but the over 14 million people we represent when we are on the field.
This is their Africa Cup and we are their Sables. Today was wild—seeing people so emotional about us showing up in their neighbourhoods was surreal and worth every moment.”
The tour culminated at the newly commissioned Trabablas Interchange, where winger Brian “B-Mack” Makamure brought the energy home with one final celebration.
SRC Commercial Director Sheunopa Vushemakota remarked, “Nothing brings more joy to us than celebrating with the Sables as they spread cheer to their biggest stakeholder — the people of Zimbabwe. As the SRC, we will continue to support rugby on its upward trajectory.”
Coach Pieter Benade added, “I had guys in the street joking with me, asking if I’d pick them for the World Cup. It was all good fun and in the spirit of rugby. These moments matter. Taking the trophy back to the communities, to the schools our boys came from — that’s where the game truly grows.”
