from MARCUS MUSHONGA in Harare, Zimbabwe
HARARE, (CAJ News) – ZIMBABWE hopes to qualify for the 2019 Rugby World Cup with the appointment of South African Peter de Villiers as head coach of the senior men’s national team.

The former Springboks coach has assumed the position with that mandate of ensuring Zimbabwe, also called The Sables, quality for the tournament set for Japan.

“This is the greatest day of my life,” said de Villiers (60).

He expressed delight at the move.

Peter de Villiers coached South Africa from 2007 to 2011 and has under his belt historic wins including the beating of New Zealand All Blacks in their back yard, record Victory over the Australian Wallabies and England  at Twickenham and Series victory over the British and Irish Lions.

He won the 2009 Tri Nations.

Aaron Jani, President of Zimbabwe Rugby Union, said this was the best move that Zimbabwe Rugby had made in many years.

He also pledged his total support to the newly-appointed coach.

“The entire union will work with him to ensure that Zimbabwe moves forward and up the World Rugby rankings,” Jani said.

The Sables will face Namibia, Kenya, Uganda, Tunisia and Morocco during the Rugby Africa Gold Cup (June – August 2018) to determine the team that qualifies for the World Cup.

Zimbabwe took part in the 1987 and 1991 tournaments.
– CAJ News