Zimbabwe's Sevens rugby Cheetahs may still be battling to make an impact on the International Rugby Board Sevens series, but as the curtain comes down on the year, they will take comfort from the fact that they are part of a sport that is gaining global appeal, The Herald reported on Monday.

The Cheetahs, who have also been leading the revival of the domestic game, took part in the Dubai and George tournaments, which are the opening two competitions of the IRB series.

Coach Liam Middleton and his men have, during the year that will come to an end on Thursday, taken part in a number of international competitions, including the traditional Castles Sevens in Zambia, the Mosi in Kenya and the Tuskers in Casablanca, Morocco.

But, more importantly for the Cheetahs, they seem to be improving with each outing as they seek to convince the IRB that they now have what it takes to be included in more than just two of the world body' s series.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union is also hopeful that the successes scored by the Cheetahs will have a rub-on effect in attracting more interest among players and the corporate sector for the country' s flagship team -- the Sables -- in the XVs version of the sport.

Unlike the Cheetahs and the national Under-19 squad, the Sables are a caricature of a side that represented Africa at two World Cup events as the senior team has been struggling to qualify for the final of the Confederation of African Rugby' s Africa Cup.

Despite being restricted to only two World Series tournaments, the Cheetahs and their tireless manager Bruce Hobson will have taken a festive season break knowing they that have been part of a sport that has made huge strides in its international appeal, according to reports by the IRB.

The international body noted that after just two events of the 2009/10 World Series, early indications are that Rugby Sevens has gained further ground in the eyes of international broadcasters.