The Zimbabwe national rugby union team has appeared at two Rugby World Cups – in 1987 and 1991 - and qualified for the upcoming 2027 tournament.
In 1987, Zimbabwe was the only African nation invited to compete; South Africa was disqualified from the tournament due to a sporting boycott adopted by the international community in response to apartheid. Four years later, Zimbabwe succeeded in getting through qualifying, and hosted the Africa qualifications. In more recent years, the Namibia national rugby union team has generally defeated Zimbabwe in African qualifying rounds.
NationNumber of appearancesFirst appearanceMost recent appearanceStreakBest result2198719912No games won
By position
Matches 1987 Rugby World Cup Pool 4
1991 Rugby World Cup Pool 2
1995 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
1999 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2003 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2007 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2011 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2015 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2019 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2023 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify.
2027 Rugby World Cup Zimbabwe qualified for the 2027 World Cup after winning the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup. Their pool will be announced in December 2025.
Overall record CountryPldWDLFA+/−% 10012021−10 10011155−440 1001852−440 10011270−580 200233113−800Total6006105373−2680
Team records
Most points in a tournament 53 (1987) 31 (1991)
Most points scored in a game 21 vs (1987) 20 vs (1987) 12 vs (1991) 12 vs (1987)
Biggest winning margin n/a
Most points conceded in a game 70 vs (1987) 60 vs (1987) 55 vs (1991) 52 vs (1991) 51 vs (1991)
Biggest losing margin 58 vs (1987) 44 vs (1991) 44 vs (1991) 39 vs (1987) 39 vs (1991)
Most tries scored in a game 3 vs (1987) 2 vs (1991) 2 vs (1991) 2 vs (1991)
Individual records
Most appearances 6 Michael Martin (1987, 1991) 5 Richard Tsimba (1987, 1991) 4 Andy Ferreria (1987, 1991) 4 Craig Brown (1987, 1991) 4 Alex Nicholis (1987, 1991)
Most points overall 25 Marthinus Grobler (1987) 12 Richard Tsimba (1987, 1991) 11 Andy Ferreria (1987, 1991) 8 Adrian Garvey (1991)
Most points in a game 17 vs – Marthinus Grobler (1987) 8 vs – Adrian Garvey (1991) 8 vs – Andy Ferreria (1987) 6 vs – Richard Tsimba (1987)
Most tries overall 2 Richard Tsimba (1987, 1991) 2 Adrian Garvey (1991)
Most penalty goals 7 Marthinus Grobler (1987) 3 Andy Ferreria (1987, 1991)
Most penalty goals in a game 5 vs – Marthinus Grobler (1987) 2 vs – Marthinus Grobler (1987) 2 vs – Andy Ferreria (1987) 1 vs – Andy Ferreria (1991)
References