HARARE — Zimbabwe’s Sports and Recreation Commission has suspended the country’s rugby leadership over governance failures and escalating crisis within the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, but the move has triggered fears of World Rugby sanctions.
The SRC suspended all remaining members of the ZRU National Executive Board and National Executive Committee from participating in any rugby-related activities. The move follows the ZRU’s failure to respond to a statutory show cause order issued Sept. 4, after eight board members resigned amid allegations of mismanagement.
“The Zimbabwe Rugby Union is a registered National Association, yet it has failed to conform to section 29(8)(b) of the SRC Act,” the commission said in a press statement seen by , adding that the suspension will remain in effect until new elections are held.
The SRC’s intervention has raised alarms over potential violations of World Rugby’s Bye-Laws, which prohibit government interference in national unions. Past breaches have led to suspensions, including Sri Lanka in 2023 and threats against Fiji. Analysts warn Zimbabwe could face similar consequences, jeopardizing its participation in international competitions.
SRC insiders, however, say negotiations with World Rugby are underway, citing precedents in Namibia and Ghana, where similar governance crises were resolved without punitive sanctions. The commission has pledged to guide the sport’s strategic direction during the transition.
Zimbabwe recently qualified for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in close to four decades after edging Namibia 30–28 in a dramatic final at the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup in Kampala, Uganda.
The victory marked the Sables’ third World Cup appearance, following their participation in the inaugural 1987 tournament and again in 1991. Their qualification for the 2027 edition in Australia signals a long-awaited resurgence for Zimbabwean rugby, which has battled chronic underfunding, inconsistent governance, and limited international competitiveness.
However, the achievement has been overshadowed by a deepening boardroom crisis, casting a dark cloud over the celebrations.
