Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zambia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7) 19
Zimbabwe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (17) 25
ZIMBABWE’s senior rugby national team, the Sables, may have completed the double over neighbours Zambia, and with it claim bragging rights, but they were made to work for their victory.
The Zambezi Series return leg between the two sides, which was held at the Leopards Hill Polo Crosse Club in Lusaka yesterday, went according to script, with the Sables emerging winners.
However, Zambia put up a spirited performance and made up for their humiliating 70-15 loss in Harare last month.
Zimbabwe are using the Zambezi Series as preparations for the Rugby Africa Cup, which will double as qualifiers for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
The Sables got off the mark early as they took a 17-7 lead at the break, courtesy of tries from skipper Hilton Mudariki and David Makamba.
Flyhalf Lenience Tambwera duly converted both tries and added a penalty, while the hosts hit back with a converted try of their own.
The second half turned out to be a low-scoring affair once again as Zimbabwe added to their tally, courtesy of a converted try by Dion Khumalo and another penalty from Tambwera. Zambia hit back and came within touching distance of Zimbabwe, as they added two tries, with only one converted.
A major cause for concern for Sables coach Piet Benade will be his team’s inability to kill off matches.
The Sables let Zambia claw their way back into the match.
In fact, the hosts outscored Zimbabwe 12-8 in the second period and put up a much improved performance from their 70-15 loss last month.
Similarly, in the back-to-back ties last year, Zimbabwe won 32-28 at home and 22-17 away in a tightly contested encounter.
In their next match, the Sables will play Botswana away, after which Benade is sure to welcome back all his foreign-based stars and begin the final leg of preparations for the Africa Cup.
The winner of next month’s Africa Cup will automatically book their ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Online Reporter