Online Reporter
Tinashe Kusema, Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe 29-23 Kenya
IT wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t perfect. But it was enough.
The Zimbabwe Sables are now just one game away from the 2027 Rugby World Cup after pulling off a gutsy 29-23 win over Kenya in a tense semi-final showdown at Mandela Stadium yesterday.
It was a proper scrap between two old rivals, battling wind, nerves, and each other in a match that swung wildly and never settled until the final whistle.
And when it came, it was the Sables who stood tall.
Brendon Mudzekenyedzi set the tone early, linking beautifully with Edward Sigauke in midfield before slicing through the Kenyan line to open the scoring with a classy try. Ian Prior missed the conversion, and Kenya hit back quickly through hooker Eugene Wesonga, levelling things at 5-all.
The first-half turned into a midfield dogfight, with both sides refusing to blink. A yellow card to Kenya’s Griffin Chao tipped the balance slightly Zimbabwe’s way, allowing Prior to knock over a penalty before captain Hilton Mudariki crossed for another try.
But Kenya had answers. Fullback Jone Kubu slotted two penalties and Griffin Mwalukware’s converted try just before the break gave the Simbas an 18-13 lead, marking the first time in two editions that Zimbabwe trailed at half-time.
They needed a flawless second half.
And they delivered.
The restart came with real intent. Victor Mupunga returned from a blood injury to anchor the scrum, while Bornwell Gwinji came off the bench with brute force in his carries.
Zimbabwe’s midfield held strong, with Mudzekenyedzi and Kudzai Mashawi pinning back the Kenyan backs and cutting off any room to breathe.
Aiden Burnett, back in the squad after missing the quarter-final, made his return count, powering over for a crucial try that swung the lead back in Zimbabwe’s favour. Prior added the extras, and from there, found his rhythm with a drop kick and a pair of penalties to stretch the gap to 29-18.
The clock ticked, the tackles flew, and the Sables dug deep.
Even a late try from Kenya’s Victor Teddy couldn’t steal it. The damage was done, the game was theirs.
As the final whistle rang out, the Kenyan vuvuzelas faded. Zimbabwe’s players huddled tight, arms raised, voices lifted high under the Kampala sun. One win away.
Flanker Tinotenda Mavesera walked off with man of the match honours after a performance full of heart and muscle.
“NdezvaMwari, it’s all about God,” Mavesera said. “Thank God, the boys came through. This was for our nation and the people back home.
“This means everything to us and it’s a privilege for each of us to do this thing we love. I’m happy we stuck to our plan and believed in it.”
Now the stakes go up another level. Zimbabwe face Namibia in the Rugby Africa Cup final, a winner takes all clash with a direct ticket to the 2027 World Cup on the line.
The loser will still have a shot via the global repêchage, but the Sables know exactly what’s in front of them.
