Rugby union in Zimbabwe
Encyclopedia
Please note, "Rugby union in Rhodesia" redirects here. For the former Northern Rhodesia, please see "rugby union in Zambia
".
Rugby union
in Zimbabwe
, and its predecessor state Rhodesia
, is a significant sport. Like the country's history, it has been riven with controversy, but equally the world has seen Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup
on two occasions. As with rugby union in Namibia
, the country's lack of infrastructure, and largely rural population has been a problem for national organisers.
Its successor, the Zimbabwean Rugby Football Union
affiliated to the IRFB
in 1987, shortly before the First World Cup
. It is now called the "Zimbabwe Rugby Union". It is also part of the Confederation of African Rugby
.
, and this name change reflects the complex history of the country.
Not unlike other neighbouring African countries, Zimbabwean rugby has been a legacy of British colonialism. This has created big problems, particularly as it has been dominated by a white settler class, and has not achieved the kind of
racial integration that it should have done. Attempts to increase participation amongst the black population continue, with mixed results. The racist government of Ian Smith
encouraged this split, and actions by his successor, Robert Mugabe
have helped drive away many of the white people who were the mainstay of the land.
From 1952, Rhodesian/Zimbabwean rugby was split into two subregions, centred around the two main cities, Harare
(formerly "Salisbury" in the north) and Bulawayo
in the south.
For a number of years, Rhodesia competed as a province in the B division of South Africa's Currie Cup
. This relationship with South African rugby was an unhealthy one, as South Africa would frequently take the best players for its Springboks, and even coaches such as Ian McIntosh
who coached the South Africa side in 1993.
Because of the boycott of the racist apartheid regime in South Africa, Zimbabwe
was the only African side to be invited to the 1987 Rugby World Cup
. It managed to requalify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup
, but has not been in the tournament subsequently.
Côte d'Ivoire
(The Ivory Coast) slipped past them, Namibia
, and the third African favourite, Morocco
in the qualifiers for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
. Côte d'Ivoire went into the World Cup optimistic, with coach Claude Ezoua saying:
Despite Namibia and Zimbabwe having qualified for the RWC at different times, both of these countries were firmly within the South African orbit, had players who spoke English and/or Afrikaans
, who were mostly white. Namibia had previously been a colony of South Africa, as South West Africa, and Zimbabwe had provided SA with a number of players such as Ray Mordt
. The Côte d'Ivoire was not even in existence when the first (invitation only) Rugby World Cup
was played in 1987, and had in fact played their first international in 1990 against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe competes in the Africa Cup
and plays regularly against teams in neighbouring countries, as well as South African teams.
Because of the complex racial problems of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia and South Africa, most of the best-known players in the past were white. However, there have been some notable black Zimbabwean players such as Richard Tsimba
, Bedford Chibima, Honeywell Nguruve, Tendai Mtawarira
, Brian Mujati
, Takudzwa Ngwenya
, Tonderai Chavhanga
and Kennedy Tsimba.
Other notable Zimbabwean/Rhodesian players include:
Former Australia captain and the sport's most-capped international, George Musarurwa Gregan
, was born in Zambia to a Zimbabwean mother and Australian father, and grew up in Canberra
.
British Lions
The British Lions toured South Africa a number of times. Despite officially being South African tours, the Lions also played Rhodesia (as it was then). Later tours of the region were stopped until the 1990s, due to the controversy over playing Ian Smith
's regime, and apartheid era South Africa
.
Rugby union in Zambia
Rugby union in Zambia is a minor but growing sport. They are currently ranked 73rd by the IRB and have 3,650 registered plays and 3 formally organised clubs...
".
Rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, and its predecessor state Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
, is a significant sport. Like the country's history, it has been riven with controversy, but equally the world has seen Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup
Zimbabwe at the Rugby World Cup
Zimbabwe have made two Rugby World Cup appearances - in 1987 and 1991.In the 1987 Rugby World Cup, Zimbabwe were invited as the African entrant...
on two occasions. As with rugby union in Namibia
Rugby union in Namibia
Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Namibia, and its predecessor province of South West Africa. Because Namibia was formerly ruled by South Africa, rugby in Namibia was frequently influenced by events in that country, and its domestic competition.-Governing body:The Namibia Rugby Union...
, the country's lack of infrastructure, and largely rural population has been a problem for national organisers.
Governing body
The Rhodesian Rugby Football Union was founded in 1895) In 1952, split into Northern and Southern Sub-Unions.Its successor, the Zimbabwean Rugby Football Union
Zimbabwe Rugby Union
The Zimbabwe Rugby Union was founded in 1895 as the Rhodesia Rugby Football Union, and is the governing body of rugby union in Zimbabwe....
affiliated to the IRFB
International Rugby Board
The International Rugby Board is the governing body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the unions of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England refused to join until 1890. The International Rugby Football Board changed its name to the...
in 1987, shortly before the First World Cup
1987 Rugby World Cup
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two...
. It is now called the "Zimbabwe Rugby Union". It is also part of the Confederation of African Rugby
Confederation of African Rugby
The Confederation of African Rugby is governing body for rugby union within Africa. The Confederation currently has 37 member nations and is responsible for running various rugby tournaments within Africa, especially the Africa Cup, and CAR Super 16.-History:The Confederation was officially...
.
History
Zimbabwe was formerly known as RhodesiaRhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
, and this name change reflects the complex history of the country.
Not unlike other neighbouring African countries, Zimbabwean rugby has been a legacy of British colonialism. This has created big problems, particularly as it has been dominated by a white settler class, and has not achieved the kind of
racial integration that it should have done. Attempts to increase participation amongst the black population continue, with mixed results. The racist government of Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
encouraged this split, and actions by his successor, Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
have helped drive away many of the white people who were the mainstay of the land.
From 1952, Rhodesian/Zimbabwean rugby was split into two subregions, centred around the two main cities, Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
(formerly "Salisbury" in the north) and Bulawayo
Bulawayo
Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland...
in the south.
For a number of years, Rhodesia competed as a province in the B division of South Africa's Currie Cup
Currie Cup
The Currie Cup tournament is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring , featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces...
. This relationship with South African rugby was an unhealthy one, as South Africa would frequently take the best players for its Springboks, and even coaches such as Ian McIntosh
Ian McIntosh
Ian McIntosh is a Zimbabwean-South African rugby union coach. He served as head coach for the Springboks during the early 1990s.McIntosh grew up near Bulawayo....
who coached the South Africa side in 1993.
Because of the boycott of the racist apartheid regime in South Africa, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe national rugby union team
The Zimbabwe national rugby union team is the rugby union team representing Zimbabwe. They are considered to be a third tier rugby union nation...
was the only African side to be invited to the 1987 Rugby World Cup
1987 Rugby World Cup
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two...
. It managed to requalify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup
1991 Rugby World Cup
The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
, but has not been in the tournament subsequently.
Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire national rugby union team
The Ivory Coast national rugby union team, nicknamed Les Éléphants, represents Côte d'Ivoire in rugby union. The team is recognised as Ivory Coast by the International Rugby Board...
(The Ivory Coast) slipped past them, Namibia
Namibia national rugby union team
The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias or Biltongboere, represents Namibia at rugby union. Although they are a tier-three nation in the International Rugby Board tier system, the team have participated in all three Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999...
, and the third African favourite, Morocco
Morocco national rugby union team
The Morocco national rugby union team are a national sporting side, representing Morocco in rugby union. The team is also known as the Atlas Lions. Morocco is governed by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Rugby. Morocco competes in the Africa Cup annually. The team has won the competition in 2003...
in the qualifiers for the 1995 Rugby World Cup
1995 Rugby World Cup
The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country....
. Côte d'Ivoire went into the World Cup optimistic, with coach Claude Ezoua saying:
- "We want to prove to the world that there is more to African rugby than just South Africa."
Despite Namibia and Zimbabwe having qualified for the RWC at different times, both of these countries were firmly within the South African orbit, had players who spoke English and/or Afrikaans
Afrikaans
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language, spoken natively in South Africa and Namibia. It is a daughter language of Dutch, originating in its 17th century dialects, collectively referred to as Cape Dutch .Afrikaans is a daughter language of Dutch; see , , , , , .Afrikaans was historically called Cape...
, who were mostly white. Namibia had previously been a colony of South Africa, as South West Africa, and Zimbabwe had provided SA with a number of players such as Ray Mordt
Ray Mordt
Raymond Herman "Ray" Mordt is a South African rugby union player. Ray grew up and started playing rugby in Rhodesia . He returned to South Africa and played Wing for the Springboks where he captained the team 3 times from 1980 until 1984...
. The Côte d'Ivoire was not even in existence when the first (invitation only) Rugby World Cup
1987 Rugby World Cup
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. New Zealand and Australia agreed to co-host the first ever tournament with New Zealand hosting seventeen pool stage matches, two quarter-finals and the final with Australia being the junior partner hosting seven pool matches, two...
was played in 1987, and had in fact played their first international in 1990 against Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe competes in the Africa Cup
Africa Cup
The Africa Cup is an annual rugby union tournament involving African nations, organised by the Confederation of African Rugby . The tournament was first held in 2000, and has since been contested on an annual basis...
and plays regularly against teams in neighbouring countries, as well as South African teams.
Because of the complex racial problems of Zimbabwe/Rhodesia and South Africa, most of the best-known players in the past were white. However, there have been some notable black Zimbabwean players such as Richard Tsimba
Richard Tsimba
Richard Utete Tsimba was a Zimbabwean rugby union player. He played as a centre. He was nicknamed "The Black Diamond"....
, Bedford Chibima, Honeywell Nguruve, Tendai Mtawarira
Tendai Mtawarira
Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira...
, Brian Mujati
Brian Mujati
Brian Mujati Brian Mujati Brian Mujati (born (28 September 1984 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a prop....
, Takudzwa Ngwenya
Takudzwa Ngwenya
Takudzwa Ngwenya is a rugby union player who plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and French power Biarritz...
, Tonderai Chavhanga
Tonderai Chavhanga
Tonderai Chavhanga is a South African rugby union player. Chavhanga has played for the national team, the Springboks, being capped once in 2005. He played for the Stormers in the international Super 14 competition...
and Kennedy Tsimba.
Other notable Zimbabwean/Rhodesian players include:
- Salty du RandSalty du RandJacobus Abraham Du Rand is a former South African rugby union footballer. He played numerous times for South Africa, including on their 1951-52 Grand Slam tour of Europe, as well as captaining them once against the All Blacks.He made his debut for the Springboks in 1949 in a Test against the All...
, who played for Northern TransvaalBlue BullsThe Blue Bulls, for sponsorship reasons known as the Vodacom Blue Bulls, or more popularly by their Afrikaans name die Blou Bulle, are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament...
, and captained the Springboks. He was capped 21 times for South Africa between 1949-56. He lived and played in Rhodesia for many years. - Ray MordtRay MordtRaymond Herman "Ray" Mordt is a South African rugby union player. Ray grew up and started playing rugby in Rhodesia . He returned to South Africa and played Wing for the Springboks where he captained the team 3 times from 1980 until 1984...
, winger, described by Danie CravenDanie CravenDaniël Hartman Craven , more famously known as Danie Craven or simply Doc Craven, is a former Western Province, Eastern Province, Northern Transvaal and Springbok rugby union player as well as arguably South Africa's best and best-known rugby administrator...
as "a wounded rhinoceros in the body of a man". He later went on to play rugby leagueRugby leagueRugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
. - Adrian GarveyAdrian GarveyAdrian Christopher Garvey was a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player. He played as a prop.Garvey played for Old Miltonians, Coastal Sharks, Natal and Newport Gwent Dragons....
, prop/hooker who played for NatalNatal SharksThe Natal Sharks are a South African rugby union team that participate in the annual Currie Cup and Super Rugby tournaments. The Sharks home stadium is Kings Park. They draw most of their players from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. The Sharks are the current representative team of the Natal rugby...
. - Geoff Griffin
- Tendai MtawariraTendai MtawariraTendai "Beast" Mtawarira is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. Mtawarira, a prop, is fondly known by friends and fans as "The Beast". Roars of "Beast" are shouted by spectators and fans of the Natal Sharks team whenever Mtawarira...
, aka "the Beast", prop, plays for South Africa and the Sharks. - Brian MujatiBrian MujatiBrian Mujati Brian Mujati Brian Mujati (born (28 September 1984 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe) is a Zimbabwean-born South African rugby union player for Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership. He plays as a prop....
, Springboks and Northampton SaintsNorthampton SaintsNorthampton Saints are a professional rugby union club from Northampton, England. The Northampton Saints were formed in 1880. They play in green, black and gold colours. They play their home games at Franklin's Gardens, which has a capacity of 13,591....
, prop. - Takudzwa NgwenyaTakudzwa NgwenyaTakudzwa Ngwenya is a rugby union player who plays on the wing for the United States national rugby union team and French power Biarritz...
, wing, currently plays for the USAUnited States national rugby union teamUSA Rugby's men's national rugby union team, nicknamed the Eagles, represents the United States in the sport of rugby union. The Eagles are currently ranked 17th by the IRB World Rankings. Their highest ranking was from November 2, 2006 – September 10, 2007 at the 14th position...
and BiarritzBiarritz OlympiqueBiarritz Olympique Pays Basque is a French professional rugby union team based in the Basque city of Biarritz, Aquitaine which competes in the Top 14 and the Heineken Cup...
. One of the candidates for the unofficial title of "fastest player in modern rugby", he moved to the USA at high school age. - Tonderai ChavhangaTonderai ChavhangaTonderai Chavhanga is a South African rugby union player. Chavhanga has played for the national team, the Springboks, being capped once in 2005. He played for the Stormers in the international Super 14 competition...
, another candidate for "fastest player in modern rugby", has also played for the Springboks, and is currently with the StormersStormersThe Stormers, for sponsorship reasons referred to as DHL Stormers, are a South African rugby union team based in Cape Town competing in the Super Rugby competition . Despite their lack of silverware over the years, their home stadium, Newlands, typically draws the highest average attendance figures...
at Super Rugby level. - Craig EvansCraig EvansCraig Neil Evans is a Zimbabwean cricketer and rugby union footballer.-Cricket:He played in two Tests, against Sri Lanka and Australia, but is considered a specialist at the one-day game...
, better known as a player for the Zimbabwe national cricket team, Evans also plays rugby. - RA van Schoor.
- Pieter DixonPieter DixonPieter Dixon is a South African rugby union footballer, who plays hooker for Bath. He was educated at Maritzburg College, and was captain of the South African Schools' rugby team in 1996...
- David CurtisDavid CurtisDavid Michael Curtis is a former Irish rugby union international. He also played some first-class cricket while at Oxford University....
- David Pocock, back-rower for AustraliaAustralia national rugby union teamThe Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the...
and Western ForceWestern ForceWestern Force is a rugby union team based in Perth, Western Australia playing in the international Super Rugby competition. They first competed in the 2006 season and finished with the wooden spoon in that year, however their performances greatly improved in 2007. In 2008 they finished in 8th...
, emigrated with his family from Zimbabwe when he was 14. - Anthony Henniker-GotleyAnthony Henniker-GotleyAnthony Henniker-Gotley was a rugby union international who represented England from 1910 to 1911. He also captained that country.-Early life:...
, former England captain, lived in Rhodesia, and played for police there.
Former Australia captain and the sport's most-capped international, George Musarurwa Gregan
George Gregan
George Musarurwa Gregan AM is an Australian rugby union halfback who has made more appearances for his national team than any other player in the sport's history....
, was born in Zambia to a Zimbabwean mother and Australian father, and grew up in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
.
British LionsBritish and Irish LionsThe British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
tours
The British Lions toured South Africa a number of times. Despite officially being South African tours, the Lions also played Rhodesia (as it was then). Later tours of the region were stopped until the 1990s, due to the controversy over playing Ian SmithIan Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
's regime, and apartheid era South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
- 1910 British Lions tour to South Africa1910 British Lions tour to South AfricaThe 1910 British Isles tour to South Africa was the eighth tour by a British Isles team and the fourth to South Africa. It is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950. As well as South Africa, the tour included a game in...
- 1924 British Lions tour to South Africa1924 British Lions tour to South AfricaThe 1924 British Isles tour to South Africa was the tenth tour by a British Isles team and the fifth to South Africa. The tour is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950...
- 1938 British Lions tour to South Africa1938 British Lions tour to South AfricaThe 1938 British Isles tour to South Africa was the fourteenth tour by a British Isles team and the sixth to South Africa. The tour is retrospectively classed as one of the British Lions tours, as the Lions naming convention was not adopted until 1950....
- 1955 British Lions tour to South Africa1955 British Lions tour to South AfricaIn 1955 the British Lions rugby union team toured Southern and Eastern Africa. The Lions drew the test series against , each team winning two of the four matches. They won the first test by a single point and the third by three points and lost the second and fourth matches by wider margins...
- 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa1968 British Lions tour to South AfricaIn 1968 the British Lions toured South Africa. The tour was not success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the test series against South Africa by three matches to nil, with the other match drawn. The Lions won 15 of their 16 non-international matches, losing only to Transvaal...
- 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa1974 British Lions tour to South AfricaIn 1974 the British Lions toured South Africa, with matches in South West Africa and Rhodesia . The tour was a great success, the Lions winning 21 of their 22 matches and drawing the other. After winning the first three test matches, the Lions drew the final test to preserve their unbeaten record...