adminFrom Paul Munyuki in Polokwane, South Africa
Madagascar…………………………………………….. (18) 18
Zimbabwe…………………………………………………(10) 35
THE Sables turned it into a memorable day, for Zimbabwe rugby, by defying the odds, to stage a big comeback and beat Madagascar in front of their home crowd and reach the final of the Africa Cup in Antananarivo yesterday with a convincing 35-18 victory. Zimbabwe will meet Kenya in the final on Saturday.
Kenya thrashed Uganda 52-11 in the first semi-final played earlier in the day but it was Zimbabwe who stole the limelight having travelled to the Indian Ocean island with a depleted side following a player rebellion.
For Zimbabwe the victory means the Sables 2015 World Cup dream is still alive as they have retained a place in the World Cup qualifying Group 1A as the loser of the third place play-off between Madagascar and Uganda will be relegated to Group 1B.
Namibia are waiting on the wings for the final qualifier next year in Group 1A where the winner will gain automatic qualification to the London World Cup.
On a day when the Zimbabwe Under-18 side thumped Limpopo Blue Bulls 43-5 here at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, the Sables ensured there would be a double dose of celebrations with their grand victory over Madagascar.
A win for the Sables on Saturday will ensure they retain their Africa Cup title – making it their first back-to-back championship in their history.
Zimbabwe showed great character coming from 3-18 down to score 32 unanswered points with 17 of them coming in the second half having gone for the break trailing 10-18 to the Makis.
With five debutantes in the starting XV – the forwards duo of flank Andrew Rose and lock Simbarashe Bwanya and the backline trio of winger Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, first centre Garth Ziegler and flyhalf Boyd Rouse – the Sables were expected to struggle.
Chitokwindo and Zielger both have Sevens experience as they are part of the Cheetahs squad that was in Russia for the World Cup.
Reports from Madagascar indicate that loose head prop Tapiwa Mangezi was pulled out in the third minute after suffering an injury while Mathew Mandioma, who came in as a substitute, was rushed to hospital with a serious eye injury that could rule him out of Saturday’s final.
Madagascar were the first on the scoreboard, taking a 3-0 lead through a penalty, after Zimbabwe fullback Lenience Tambwera had missed a spot kick.
Madagascar went on to score 15 more points, Tambwera responding for Zimbabwe with another penalty.
Captain Jacques Leitao touched down just before the break, and Tambwera made use of the bonus kick to leave Zimbabwe trailing 10-18 at half time.
And the end of the first half also marked the last time the Makis found the Zimbabwe in-goal while it also signaled total dominance for Zimbabwe in the next 40 minutes where they scored 25 points to seal the game.
Sables Starting XV (15-1):
L.Tambwera, S.Hunduza, S.Makombe, G.Ziegler, T.Chitokwindo, B.Rouse, P.Machisa, N.Ndlovu, J.Leitao, A.Rose, J.Ferrera, S.Bwanya, P.Joubert, K.Murray, T.Mangezi.
Online Reporter