The Zimbabwe national rugby team has been handed a major boost in their attempt to qualify for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France after they were confirmed earlier as the hosts for the Rugby Africa Cup Pool D matches which also double up as the first phase of qualifications of the world event. Notably, Zimbabwe was given the right to host the competition after Tunisia withdrew not only from hosting the tournament but also as participants after an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country. "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. Zimbabwe was on standby to host the games as the second highest ranked team in the group," a statement from Zimbabwe Rugby Union confirmed.