Pieter “Piet” Benade (born 16 January 1982) is a Zimbabwean rugby union coach and former fly-half who currently leads the Zimbabwe national team. Educated at Prince Edward School in Harare, he emerged as a standout playmaker for the First XV and captained the side during the 1999–2000 Craven Week cycle, helping guide the famed Prince Edward team that famously defeated Paarl Boys’ High in 2000. After school he moved to South Africa to study Sports Science at Stellenbosch University, where he represented Maties from 2002 and played a key role in two national club championship victories.
In 2004, Benade signed his first professional contract with Western Province, making his Currie Cup debut against the SWD Eagles before completing two seasons with the union and later joining the Pumas. During this period he represented Zimbabwe in both XVs and Sevens, broadening his international experience. He spent the 2007–08 season in France with USA Limoges in the Pro D2 and later returned to South Africa to play for False Bay and Hamilton RFC until injuries steered him toward coaching.
His coaching journey began in 2009 when he returned to Prince Edward School during an injury lay-off to assist his former mentor, Godwin Murambiwa. After retiring in 2012, he joined False Bay RFC, rising from Third XV coach to First XV assistant by 2019 and contributing to the club’s Super League A success. He simultaneously coached at Rondebosch Boys’ High School and later served as assistant coach of the Wynberg Boys’ High School First XV.
Benade’s involvement with national structures deepened in 2021 when he volunteered during the Stellenbosch Challenge, leading to a formal appointment in early 2022 as technical skills coach for both the Sables and Goshawks while also coaching locally with Old Hararians. Following Brendon Dawson’s resignation at the end of 2023, Benade was appointed Zimbabwe head coach in March 2024. He made an immediate impact, guiding the Sables to Rugby Africa Cup titles in 2024 and 2025, with the latter securing Zimbabwe’s first Rugby World Cup qualification since 1991 as part of a remarkable 13-match winning streak that included two victories over rivals Namibia.
Career
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Zimbabwe Head Coach |
2024 - present |
