It has been a good day for the Zimbabwe men’s rugby team, Sables, as they managed to qualify for the 2027 World Cup to be held in Australia after beating Namibia 30 – 28 in the Rugby Africa Cup final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala Uganda.
This is the first time in three decades since Zimbabwe last qualified for the world cup tournament in 1991.
Namibia drew first blood through Cliven Loubser penalty.
It became a kicking competition between Loubser andZimbabwe’s Ian Prior as they exchanged blow for blow as the score was level at six all.
Brilliant work by Zimbabwean centre, Kudzai Mashawi, then crossed over the white wash with Prior converting separating the two sides Zimbabwe 13 – 6 Namibia.
Ian Prior went for posts increasing Zimbabwe’s lead to 16 – 6 after Jacques Theron conceded a penalty.
Namibia was not to be left behind before the break as Namibian captain, Prince Gaoseb, hit a try back which Loubser converted after taking advantage of the yellow card given to Jason Fraser for a deliberate knock-on.
Godfrey Muzanargwo managed to score in scrappy circumstances on the 45-minute mark before some brilliant work in the midfield by Brendon Mudzekenyedzi as he crossed over to give Zimbabwe a 30 – 21 lead.
Namibia managed to score a converted try through Jay Cee Nel.
It is Tiaan Swanepoel, however, who will have sleepless nights as the 79th minute penalty miss sealed the Namibians fate as they will have to go through a series of matches to ensure qualification.
On another celebratory note, Zimbabwe Rugby Union’s media personnel, Ronald Ncube, proposed to her girlfriend during the halftime of the Rugby Africa Cup final watch party at Harare Sports Club (We extend our heartfelt congratulations.)
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