Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
Zimbabwe 70-15 Zambia
ZIMBABWE’S Sables launched their Zambezi Series campaign yesterday with a shellacking of neighbours Zambia, securing a dominant 70-15 victory in a lively derby match at Harare Sports Club’s Machinery Exchange Grounds.
It was a bruising, try-laden affair that had everything one expects from this storied regional rivalry: intensity, flair, and a statement of intent from the hosts.
Zambia opened the scoring via a well-struck penalty from Alex Mwewa, but their moment in the sun was fleeting. Enter Nyasha Shiripinda, and what a debut it was. The young fullback responded immediately, collecting the return kick-off and slicing through a scattered Zambian defence to dot down under the posts.
Lenience Tambwera, who was immaculate with the boot all afternoon, slotted the conversion with ease.
The French-based Bornwell Gwinji then barged over for Zimbabwe’s second try, finishing off a phase of punishing forward play. Tambwera added the extras again, setting the tone for what would become a masterclass in dominance.
Skipper Hilton Mudariki, celebrating his 51st Test cap, added a third try with a trademark sniping dart from the base of the ruck, which Tambwera again converted with clinical precision.
Although Zambia briefly clawed back a converted try, Zimbabwe remained firmly in control. The Sables’ backline ran riot, with fluid handling and lightning-fast ball movement leading to a flurry of tries before the break. Braces from Brian Nyaude, Jeff Makoni, Tambwera himself, and the talismanic Mudariki, alongside scores from Aiden Burnett, Ryan Musumhi, and Shingi Katsvere, put the result beyond doubt.
By half-time, Zimbabwe were cruising at 28–10.
The second stanza was more of the same, or worse for Zambia. The Sables came out firing, turning up the tempo and showing off their depth.
Their bench players injected fresh energy, ensuring there was no let-up. With each wave of attack, the scoreline swelled, eventually crossing the 70-point mark.
Tambwera continued to pile on the points, nailing conversions from all angles, including several from out wide, and ending the day with a near-perfect kicking record.
Zambia did salvage a degree of pride through tries by Lawrence Besa and Sonny Nkole, while Mwewa added a second penalty and a conversion, but it was too little, far too late.
After the match, Mudariki reflected on the performance with a mixture of pride and pragmatism.
“We are super happy to have such a great win in front of the home fans. It’s good to see all the work we’ve put in show on the scoreboard. That said, we made a lot of errors and had some discipline issues out there, things we’ll definitely tidy up.
Playing at home is always the best, and the fans played a huge role today,” said the skipper.
With a commanding 55-point cushion, Zimbabwe head into the second leg brimming with confidence and in pole position to assert continued dominance over their neighbours in the regional rivalry.
