Round 4 · Nations Cup 2026
Sat 7 Nov 2026 · 3:00pm
Sables home fixture
Zimbabwe Sables · Nations Cup 2026The Sables’
home game in England
Zimbabwe have not been to a Rugby World Cup since 1991. Now they are going to Australia — and before they do, the Sables host Manu Samoa in Wakefield. Bring your Zimbabwean pride and back the boys. Adults from £25, juniors from £12.50.
Zimbabwe host Samoa — in Yorkshire
The World Rugby Nations Cup is brand new: a 12-nation, second-tier world championship launched in 2026 to give the game's rising nations a regular diet of meaningful test rugby. Zimbabwe are the designated home side on 7 November, but with the fixture window falling in the northern autumn the Sables are staging their home matches in Europe. Wakefield gets the Samoa game.
Two pools, cross-pool fixtures
Twelve nations are split into an Americas & Pacific pool and a Europe, Africa & Asia pool. Each side plays all six teams from the opposite pool across two windows — July in the Americas, November in Europe and Hong Kong.
A champion per pool
There is no finals day in 2026. The team topping each pool after six rounds is crowned an inaugural Nations Cup champion, and there is no promotion or relegation with the Nations Championship in this edition.
Watch it, or be there
Most of the world can stream Nations Cup matches free on RugbyPass TV, though some territories have their own exclusive broadcaster. Either way, nothing beats being in the ground for a Sables home game on English soil.
Where to watch →Pool B — Europe, Africa & Asia Zimbabwe's pool
| Team | Pld | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 3 | 14 |
| Portugal | 3 | 12 |
| Spain | 3 | 9 |
| Romania | 3 | 9 |
| Hong Kong China | 3 | 5 |
| Zimbabwe | 3 | 2 |
Pool A — Americas & Pacific Samoa's pool
| Team | Pld | Pts |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3 | 14 |
| Chile | 3 | 10 |
| Samoa | 3 | 7 |
| Tonga | 3 | 7 |
| Canada | 3 | 7 |
| Uruguay | 3 | 7 |
Both tables are the closed standings from the July 2026 series (rounds 1–3) — a historical record, not a live table. Rounds 4 to 6 are played from 6 to 21 November 2026; for the current tables and results see the official Nations Cup site. Order as published by World Rugby.
An African first, against Pacific power
Samoa are the bigger name with the longer World Cup pedigree. But both sides arrive in Wakefield having already booked their place at Rugby World Cup 2027 — and both have something to prove after a bruising July.
- Head coach
- Pieter Benade
- Captain
- Hilton Mudariki
- Home ground
- Harare Sports Club
- RWC 2027
- Qualified — Pool F
Zimbabwe ended a 34-year wait in 2025, beating Namibia 30–28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final to reach a first Rugby World Cup since 1991. The Nations Cup is the Sables' proving ground before Australia: three defeats in the Americas in July, the closest a 23–19 reverse against Canada, showed a side that can live with established test nations.
Deep roots: in 1949 a Rhodesia side beat Fred Allen's touring All Blacks 10–8 in Bulawayo — still one of the most remarkable results in the country's rugby history.
- Head coach
- Tusi Pisi
- Captain
- Theo McFarland
- Home ground
- Apia Park, Apia
- RWC 2027
- Qualified — Pool E
Manu Samoa have played at every Rugby World Cup since 1991 and reached the quarter-finals twice, in 1991 and 1995. July was a mixed bag: a 66–19 demolition of Hong Kong China, then a defeat to Georgia and a one-point heartbreaker against Romania.
Don't miss the siva tau. Samoa's pre-match challenge is one of the great sights in world rugby — be in your seat well before 3pm.
The road to Australia 2027
Both teams are already qualified for the expanded 24-team Rugby World Cup in Australia. Zimbabwe landed in Pool F with England, Wales and Tonga — meaning a Sables meeting with England is on the horizon, and Wakefield is a rare chance for UK-based fans to see them first. Samoa are in Pool E with France, Japan and the USA.
There is no record of Zimbabwe and Samoa having met at full senior international level, so 7 November looks set to be a first.
Get your seat
Tickets are sold through Wakefield Trinity's official ticketing site, powered by Fixtures. Junior pricing is half the adult price in every area, which makes this one of the most affordable international test matches in the country. Juniors are under-16 — the child must be 16 or under on or before 1 February 2026, and ID may be checked at the gate, so bring proof of age.
East Stand A & B
- Covered, seated, opened in 2024
- Fully covered, side-on halfway-line views
- Ticket office, Fan Zone and lounges on this side
North Stand
- Behind the posts — the loudest end
- Covered terrace — standing
- Turnstiles on Doncaster Road and Welbeck Street
West Stand
- Traditional terracing, side-on view
- Largely uncovered — bring a coat
- Entry via the Arthur Street turnstiles
Hospitality & private boxes
Make a day of it. Hospitality packages are in the East Stand from £100 per person, where the club's redevelopment added the LED Studio Lounge and the 1873 Lounge. Private boxes are in the South Stand, for groups of ten or more — ideal for clients, a company outing, or getting a whole group of Zimbabwean and Samoan supporters together in one room.
Availability, pricing and package detail all come direct from the team below. Hospitality must be booked in advance — it is not sold on matchday.
- Hospitality
- East Stand, from £100pp
- Private boxes
- South Stand, groups of 10+
- Booking
- Direct enquiry, in advance
- Contact
- dan@braaiarmy.com
DIY Kitchens Stadium, Wakefield
A tight, loud, traditional ground on Doncaster Road, a mile south of Wakefield city centre. A major redevelopment has given it a new seated East Stand, hybrid turf, new floodlights and a capacity of 9,252 — big enough for an occasion, small enough that every seat is close to the pitch.
North and South sit behind the posts; East and West run along the touchlines. Schematic only — not to scale and not a seating plan. Exact block and row layout is shown at checkout.
Finding your entrance
The East Stand runs along Doncaster Road, with the ticket office and lounges inside and the Fan Zone outside Gate A. The North Stand has turnstiles on Doncaster Road and Welbeck Street; the West Stand is entered from Arthur Street. South Stand hospitality and the private boxes are reached down the side of Gate B, at the corner where the East Stand meets the South end.
Full stadium information →
Home of Wakefield Trinity RLFC
The DIY Kitchens Stadium is the home of Wakefield Trinity, the Super League rugby league club that has played here since 1895. For one afternoon in November it becomes a rugby union test ground — but the ground, the stands and the matchday operation are all Trinity's.
The club's recent redevelopment delivered the new East Stand with its hospitality lounges, hybrid turf, new floodlights and an electronic scoreboard, lifting capacity to 9,252. The record attendance here is 29,335, set for the 1922–23 Challenge Cup final — a reminder of how much rugby history has passed through Doncaster Road.
Ticketing, stewarding, catering and accessibility for this fixture are all run by Trinity, so their site is the place to check matchday detail.
How to reach the stadium
The ground sits on the A638 Doncaster Road, about a mile south of Wakefield city centre. Wakefield is well connected — roughly 20 minutes from Leeds by train and a little over two hours from London on the East Coast route into Westgate.
By train
The club lists two nearby stations, each a 20-minute walk from the ground:
- Sandal & Agbrigg — trains from Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and York.
- Wakefield Kirkgate — trains from Barnsley, Huddersfield, Goole, Castleford and Featherstone.
Coming from further afield, Wakefield Westgate is the main intercity station with direct East Coast services from London. It's about a mile and a half away, so allow 25–30 minutes on foot, or take a taxi or bus for the last leg.
Club travel guidance →By bus
The club lists Arriva routes 148, 149, 186, 189 and 496 as passing the stadium on Doncaster Road, running from Wakefield bus station in the city centre. Check Saturday timetables before you travel — and again for the journey home.
Arriva route planner →By car & parking
Junction 39 or 41 of the M1, or J30 of the M62, then follow signs for Wakefield and the A638. Sat nav: WF1 5EY. The club describes parking at the stadium as very limited and allocated first come, first served, so don't count on it — arrive early, or park in the city centre and travel in. Nearby residential streets are often restricted.
Club travel guidance →On foot & by taxi
It's a flat, straightforward walk from either nearby station or out of the city centre along Doncaster Road. Taxis from Westgate take under ten minutes outside matchday traffic — pre-book a return if you have a train to catch. The stadium's what3words is stole.rocket.lamps for the East Stand.
Know before you go
Everything inside the ground is run by Wakefield Trinity, and their pages are linked where you'll want a detail confirmed on the day. For anything to do with this fixture — tickets, groups, access, hospitality or a general question — the contact is Dan at the Braai Army.
Cashless, ticket-only entry
All turnstiles are cashless and ticket-only. Buy in advance to avoid queues; standard tickets can also be bought or collected at the stadium ticket kiosk on matchday, subject to availability. Digital tickets are scanned from your phone, so charge it.
Matchday guide →Bags, and what you can bring
Bag policy, prohibited items and ground rules are set by the club and apply to everyone attending. Worth two minutes before you travel.
Stadium regulations →Accessibility
Wheelchair positions are in the East Stand and capacity is very limited, so book well in advance. Accessible parking must be pre-booked and is also very limited. Access is via East Stand Gate A, East Stand Reception or the South hospitality gate. The club may ask for qualifying documentation.
To arrange accessible tickets, a companion place or accessible parking for this fixture, email dan@braaiarmy.com — the same contact as hospitality and corporate enquiries. Get in touch early, as these places are limited.
Disabled spectator information →Before the game
Turnstiles usually open about two hours before kick-off — roughly 1pm for a 3pm start — and there's normally something going on outside the ground earlier than that. Pre-match entertainment for this fixture is still being finalised, so come early and make a day of it. Exact times will be confirmed nearer the date.
Clubhouse Cafe & Sports Bar
Pre-match food and drink before you go through the turnstiles — a good place to meet up, get a bite and settle in ahead of the build-up. Bars and food outlets also sit around the concourse once you're inside.
Food, drink & Fan Zone → Allergens →Club Shop & merchandise
The Club Shop at the stadium is open on matchdays for merchandise, and we're planning to stock a selection of Zimbabwe and Samoa merchandise alongside it. Worth a look before kick-off rather than in the full-time rush.
General enquiries
Any other question about the fixture — groups, travel, access, merchandise or anything the page doesn't cover — goes to the same place.
Email dan@braaiarmy.com and someone will come back to you.
What to wear
Early November in West Yorkshire: cold, likely wet. The East and North stands are covered; the West Stand terrace is not. Layers, waterproofs, sensible footwear. Wear your colours — green for Zimbabwe, blue for Samoa.
Families & juniors
Junior tickets are under-16 and half price throughout — £17.50 in the East Stand, £12.50 in the North and West. A full international for the price of a cinema trip.
To qualify, the child must be 16 or under on or before 1 February 2026. Bring proof of age — ID may be checked at the gate.
Book juniors →FAQs
Is this the Rugby World Cup?
No — this is the World Rugby Nations Cup 2026, a new 12-nation second-tier world championship. It is separate from the Rugby World Cup, which is next held in Australia in 2027. Both Zimbabwe and Samoa have already qualified for that tournament, so this fixture is a genuine World Cup warm-up between two teams heading to Australia.
Why are Zimbabwe playing a home match in England?
Zimbabwe are the designated home team for this fixture, but the November window falls outside the southern African season and travel logistics for visiting teams are considerable. World Rugby confirmed the Sables would stage their November home matches in Europe — this one in Wakefield. It also puts the team in front of a large Zimbabwean community in the UK.
Which parts of the ground can I buy tickets for?
East Stand A & B (covered seating, £35 adults / £17.50 U16), the North Stand (covered standing, £25 / £12.50) and the West Stand (uncovered standing, £25 / £12.50). All three are open for booking. East hospitality and the South Stand are booked direct, not through the ticket site. Availability can change, so the ticket site is the definitive list.
What age counts as a junior?
Junior tickets are for under-16s, priced at exactly half the adult price in every available area. To be eligible, the child must be 16 or under on or before 1 February 2026. Bring proof of age — ID may be checked at the gate for junior ticket holders, and a junior ticket presented without it may not be accepted.
How do I book hospitality or a private box?
Not through the ticket site. Hospitality packages in the East Stand start at £100 per person, and private boxes in the South Stand are available for groups of ten or more. Both must be booked in advance. For availability, pricing and detail, email dan@braaiarmy.com.
Have Zimbabwe and Samoa played each other before?
There's no record of the two nations meeting at full senior international level, so 7 November looks likely to be a first. Samoa carry the bigger World Cup pedigree — quarter-finalists in 1991 and 1995 — while the Sables stayed in touch in all three of their July fixtures.
Is the ground easy to get to without a car?
Yes, and it's the better option — the club describes stadium parking as very limited and first come, first served. Two stations are a 20-minute walk away: Sandal & Agbrigg for trains from Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and York, and Wakefield Kirkgate for Barnsley, Huddersfield, Goole, Castleford and Featherstone. Wakefield Westgate is the main intercity station for longer journeys, about a mile and a half away. Arriva buses 148, 149, 186, 189 and 496 all pass the ground on Doncaster Road. Gate, parking and travel detail for the day is published by the club on its matchday guide.
What time do the gates open?
Turnstiles normally open around two hours before kick-off, which for a 3pm start means roughly 1pm — and there's usually plenty going on outside the ground before that. Exact times for this fixture, and the pre-match entertainment line-up, are still to be confirmed and will be published closer to the day.
Either way, it's worth arriving well before kick-off: the Clubhouse Cafe and Sports Bar are open for food and drink, the Club Shop has merchandise, and you'll want to be in position for the siva tau and the anthems.
Who do I contact with a question?
Everything for this fixture — general enquiries, hospitality and private boxes, group bookings, corporate enquiries and accessibility — goes to dan@braaiarmy.com. For questions about the ticket site itself, or the stadium's own policies, Wakefield Trinity's site is linked throughout this page.
Where can I watch it if I can't get there?
RugbyPass TV streams Nations Cup fixtures free across most of the world, but several territories have their own exclusive broadcaster instead. World Rugby keeps the country-by-country list up to date on its where to watch page.
Zimbabwe v Samoa
Two Rugby World Cup 2027 nations, one afternoon at the DIY Kitchens Stadium. Adults from £25, juniors from £12.50.