By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare – Zimbabwean rugby referee, Precious Pazani, has etched her name in the annals of rugby history, selected as a reserve assistant referee for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.
The announcement, made by World Rugby, with a statement issued by Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) on Thursday, marks a milestone for the 34-year-old from Harare, who continues to break barriers for African officiating on the global stage.
The tournament, set to run from August 22 to September 27, will see Pazani join an elite panel of 10 referees, six assistant referees, and six television match officials (TMOs).
Pazani’s selection has been met with widespread acclaim, particularly from her mentor, Mudiwa Mundawarara, Rugby Africa’s Referees Manager and a veteran Zimbabwean referee.
“Precious has worked very hard for this, and I’m so proud of her.
“This is a huge step for Rugby Africa, the first of many, we hope!” Mundawarara is quoted as having said by Rugby Africa Media.
The historic appointment follows Pazani’s groundbreaking achievement earlier this year when she became the first African referee outside South Africa to officiate a match in the Women’s Six Nations, Zimbabwe Rugby Unions says.
In March, she took charge of England’s clash with Italy in York, a moment that showcased her skill and composure on one of rugby’s most prestigious stages.
Her performance earned praise and set the stage for her inclusion in the World Cup panel, where she will again make history as the first non-South African African official at a Women’s Rugby World Cup, a significant step for diversity in global rugby officiating.
Pazani’s journey to this point has been one of dedication and perseverance. Born and raised in Harare, she began her refereeing career in Zimbabwe, quickly rising through the ranks due to her understanding of the game and calm demeanor under pressure.
In 2018, she spoke to NBO Magazine about her passion for officiating, noting the challenges of maintaining composure in high-stakes matches.
“I think I needed to be calm. Players sometimes do things that could have made me lose it, and they speak in all sorts of languages,” she said.
Her ability to manage these pressures was evident when she officiated the Women’s Africa Cup, online reports show, a televised tournament that cemented her reputation and earned her family’s support, with her mother attending to cheer her on.
Her career has been marked by several firsts as in 2021, Pazani officiated a Women’s Rugby World Cup qualifier between Kenya and Colombia in Nairobi, demonstrating her readiness for international competition.
She has also worked in Rugby Africa’s flagship Gold Cup, handling touchline duties in matches featuring continental powerhouses like Namibia and Kenya.
These experiences, coupled with her historic Six Nations debut, have solidified her as a trailblazer in African rugby.
Mundawarara, who has been a guiding figure in Pazani’s career, stressed the broader impact of her achievement.
A referee since 1990 and a respected educator of match officials, Mundawarara has long championed the development of African referees.
African officials are slowly growing influence on the global stage, with two South Africans, Aimee Barrett-Theron (referee) and Quinton Immelman (TMO), also named to the World Cup panel.
In a previous interview with a Zimbabwean publication, Pazani expressed her ambition to reach the World Cup stage.
“I would definitely love to make the cut for the World Cup this year. If I were to be selected, it would be a huge milestone in my career.
“Having seen where I started from and where I’ve gotten to, it would be amazing,” she said.
World Rugby’s Women’s High Performance Referee Manager, Alhambra Nievas, praised the 2025 officiating team as “the strongest and most experienced match official team that has ever been selected for a Women’s Rugby World Cup.”
