Sables star Ian Prior declares new dawn for Zimbabwe rugby - herald

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ZIMBABWE'S star fly-half and World Cup qualification hero, Ian Prior, believes a "new dawn" awaits the nations rugby following the Sables' qualification for the 2027 global showpiece.

Prior, who was the leading point scorer at last month's Africa Cup in Uganda with 52 points and named MVP, suggests that with the right pathway model and increased funding, "the sky is the limit" for Zimbabwean rugby.

The 34-year-old emphasised the team's achievements despite limited resources.

"We won back-to-back Rugby Africa Cups without the same resources other teams had. Imagine what we can do if we invest a bit more," Prior stated.

Having previously won the Super Rugby with the Reds, Prior is now relishing the unique opportunity of playing in his maiden World Cup in his homeland, Australia, for his native nation, Zimbabwe.

He is also keen for the Sables to set up camp in his hometown, Perth.

Prior, who retired from professional club rugby last year, is committed to staying in shape for this chance.

"The chance to play a home World Cup, with the possibility of Perth, my home town, hosting one of the games, is too big for me to pass up. I want to show my kids that no matter what your dreams are, if you put in the work, you can achieve them.

Everything is possible," he said.

Prior also highly praised Sables' head coach Pieter Benade, who broke Zimbabwe's three-decade World Cup dry spell.

"Pieter is a wonderful human being . . . That's the guy you want to play for. That's the guy you are willing to put your head in a dark spot for. He cares about us, and that made a difference," Prior remarked.

Reflecting on his career, Prior shared his amazement: "If you told this young boy running around the fields that he would be playing for the junior Wallabies, captaining the Western Force in Super Rugby, and helping his heritage nation to qualify for a World Cup, I would've laughed at you. For me, it is all pretty surreal."

Zimbabwe secured their spot by beating Namibia 30-28 in the Africa Cup final, marking their first World Cup appearance since 1991.