The Sables have been given a big boost in their bid to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after Zimbabwe was confirmed as the host nation for the Rugby Africa Cup Pool D fixtures which are the first phase of qualification for the global tournament. Zimbabwe was awarded the right to host the tournament after Tunisia's withdrawal as both hosts and participants in the Rugby Africa Cup Pool D matches following an increase in coronavirus cases in the North African country. The Zimbabwe Rugby Union confirmed that the Sables will get to enjoy home advantage when they host Burkina Faso in two matches from July 16 to 22. "Zimbabwe will now host pool D games after Tunisia failed to host the tournament after a surge in Covid-19 cases which saw them move from an orange to a red zone. This means pool D matches will now be a two- team tournament to establish the ranking for the next stage of the competition in 2022.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 09, 2021 06:00 UTC