This November, rugby fans in Dubai are set to witness an unprecedented moment in the sport’s local history.

The UAE’s remarkable Asia Rugby Championship win over South Korea earlier this year has drawn global attention and sparked international interest in playing in the Emirates. Now, for the first time, the UAE will host an Autumn International Rugby Series, welcoming Zimbabwe and Germany to The Sevens Stadium for full ‘test’ status matches.

UAE Rugby‘s recent unforgettable victory over South Korea in June, where they overturned a 13-27 halftime deficit to secure a 36-32 win, highlighted the team’s resilience and fighting spirit. Ranked 30 places lower than their opponents, the UAE’s comeback not only stunned rugby fans but also drew the interest of other international teams, eager to experience competitive rugby in the Emirates.

The series will begin with Zimbabwe, the current Rugby Africa Champions, taking on the UAE at The Sevens Stadium at 19:30 pm on Tuesday, November 5th. Zimbabwe’s recent performances in the Rugby Africa Cup have been nothing short of dominant, with a 32-10 victory over Namibia in the semi-final and a commanding 29-3 win against Algeria in the final. Ranked 28th in the world, Zimbabwe will be a big opponent, bringing both experience and confidence to the field.

The second match of the series will see Germany face the UAE on Saturday, November 16th, with a 15:30 pm kickoff at The Sevens Stadium. Germany recently secured a 6th place finish in the Rugby Europe Championship and managed to give Georgia, a powerhouse in European rugby, a serious challenge before narrowly losing 28-17. With a world ranking of 31, Germany is expected to put up a solid fight against the UAE.

UAE vs Zimbabwe

The UAE squad for the Zimbabwe fixture leans heavily on local talent from the Dubai Exiles, with 14 players coming from the club. This strong representation reflects the Exiles’ role as a powerhouse in UAE rugby as they sit in second place beneath the Dubai Hurricanes in the West Asia Premiership, providing a solid foundation for the national team. Their familiarity and teamwork from club play could be a valuable asset, potentially giving the UAE an edge in their first test.

UAE Rugby Squad To Face Zimbabwe

1. Pieter Killian – (Exiles)
2. Moeneeb Galant – (Exiles)
3. Riaan Barnard – (Hurricanes)
4. Stephen Ferguson – (Exiles)
5. Esekaia Dranibota – (Harlequins)
6. Epeli Davetawalu – (Exiles)
7. Matt Mills [C] – (Exiles)
8. Jaen Botes – (Exiles)
9. Andrew Semple – (Harlequins)
10. Handre Snetler – (Exiles)
11. Justin Walsh – (Exiles)
12. Liam Caldwell – (Exiles)
13. Sakiusa Naisau – (Shaheen)
14. Tobias Oakley – (Hurricanes)
15. Conor Kennedy – (Exiles)
16. Lukas Waddington – (Exiles)
17. David Gairn – (Exiles)
18. Euan McLaren – (Overseas)
19. Marcus Guerin – (Exiles)
20. Chris McKee – (Harlequins)
21. Dave Evans – (Harlequins)
22. James Crossley – (Exiles)
23. Aaron Dubois – (Hurricanes)

UAE Coaching Staff

• Jacques Benade (Head Coach)
• Aaron Persico (Forwards Coach)
• DuRandt Gerber (Backs Coach)
• Apollo Perelini (Director of Rugby)

Both matches are crucial for the UAE’s aspirations to break into the top 50 in the World Rugby rankings. The support of local fans could be a game-changer for the team, as they aim to capitalise on their recent success and prove that the UAE can compete on the international stage.

For rugby players, fans, and supporters in Dubai, this series is more than just two matches; it’s a chance to see the UAE’s national team take on high-caliber international competition on home soil.

Grab your UAE flags and be part of history as the UAE takes another step forward in the global rugby landscape.