Zimbabwe Claims First Rugby Africa Men’s Cup in 12 Years

In a thrilling display of rugby prowess, Zimbabwe clinched their first Rugby Africa Men’s Cup title in 12 years with a commanding 29-3 victory over Algeria on Sunday. The final, held in the Ugandan capital Kampala, saw the Sables dominate from start to finish, showcasing their skill and determination.

From the first whistle to the final try, Zimbabwe proved to be a force to be reckoned with, showcasing their skill and determination throughout the tournament. Their victory not only brings pride to the team but also to millions of Zimbabweans around the world, marking a significant milestone in their rugby journey.

Algeria, making their debut in the final after impressive victories over Ivory Coast and Kenya, were no match for the Zimbabwean side. The Sables, eager to reclaim the title they last won in 2012, rose to the occasion and secured a well-deserved win by scoring four tries without conceding any in return.

Early Dominance and Late Flourish

Right wing Trevor Gurwe was instrumental in setting Zimbabwe on their path to victory, scoring two tries in the first half. However, it wasn’t until the final seven minutes of the match that the Sables could truly relax. Replacement front-rower Liam Larkan and openside Godfrey Muzanargwo each added a try, sealing the victory in emphatic fashion.

“This is a dream come true for every player and staff member,” said Zimbabwe captain Hilton Mudariki. “We dedicate this victory to the millions of Zimbabweans who have supported us throughout our journey. This is just the beginning, and we are committed to building on this success. This win is not just for the team, it is for the 16 million Zimbabweans dotted around the world.”

Rankings and Records

With this victory, Zimbabwe will rise to 28th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, their highest position since November 2015 when they were ranked 26th. Algeria’s remarkable run to their first final will see them achieve a record high of 58th, a significant jump from their starting position of 69th at the beginning of the month.

Namibia’s Reign Ends

The tournament also marked the end of Namibia’s decade-long reign as African champions. The Welwitchias, who had claimed six titles during this period, were defeated by Zimbabwe in the semi-finals. However, Namibia bounced back to secure third place with a 38-27 win over Kenya, thanks to inside-centre Denzo Bruwer’s 18-point contribution from the boot. Despite the victory, Namibia will drop one place in the rankings to 25th.

Hosts Uganda Shine

Tournament hosts Uganda secured fifth place with a thrilling 34-31 win over Senegal. The contest, which extended to 104 minutes, was finally settled by Joseph Aredo’s decisive penalty. Uganda’s performance will see them climb to 36th in the rankings, moving above Kenya, who will drop to 37th after two defeats in a week.

Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso

In the seventh place play-off, Ivory Coast triumphed over Burkina Faso with a 23-10 victory. Despite the win, Ivory Coast will still drop to 62nd in the rankings, six places lower than their starting position.