Zimbabwe have been crowned champions of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup.
This was after their resounding 29-3 victory over Algeria in the final on Sunday, July 28 and marks The Sables’ second Rugby Africa Cup title, their first since 2012.
Zimbabwe’s journey to the final was marked by a couple of impressive wins.
They edged out hosts Uganda 22-20 in the quarter-finals and dominated defending champions Namibia 32-10 in the semi-finals.
Their victory over Namibia was particularly noteworthy, given Namibia’s decade-long dominance in the Rugby Africa Cup.
Coming into the final, the Sables were missing some of their key players like Ian Prior, Cleopas Kundiona, and Tino Mavesere, but delivered a stellar performance to lift the continental trophy.
In the match that was live on NBS Sport, Zimbabwe established an early lead, with Trevor Gurwe scoring two tries within the first 30 minutes.
Takudzwa Musingwini converted one of these tries, helping Zimbabwe to a 12-3 lead at halftime.
Algeria’s only points came from a penalty by Julen Serge Caminati, who had been a standout player for the Lion Cubs throughout the tournament.
Serge had been instrumental in bringing the North Africans into the final, with over half of Algeria’s points throughout the tournament coming courtesy of the full-back.
The second half saw Zimbabwe consolidating their lead with a penalty and two converted tries.
Zimbabwe’s fullback, Tapiwa Mafura, played a crucial role, adding three conversions and a penalty to the scoreboard.
The Sables’ structured attack and strategic play proved too much for the Algerians.
The match also highlighted the defensive and offensive strength of the Sables vice-captain Aiden Burnett, who was named MVP.
Speaking to NBS Sport’s Desire Derekford Mugumisa after the game, an elated Aiden Burnett expressed the team’s joy saying, “We deserve this so much. We’ve been working so hard for the last six months, and it has finally come.”
Captain Hilton Mudariki echoed these sentiments, stating, “This is truly special for us. It’s been a very lovely tournament. Things have been tough, but we kept our heads high.”
Mudariki, a veteran who made his debut for the Sables in 2013, highlighted how the victory has been a long time coming, especially for him.
“I’ve been in the system for a very long time fighting for this moment, and to finally win the trophy is truly incredible. Things have been tough, but we kept our heads high. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Zimbabwe President Emerson Mnangagwa congratulated the team on their historic achievement.
“Congratulations to the Zimbabwe Sables for winning the Rugby Africa Cup 2024! We are all proud of you!” he posted on his official X platform.
Zimbabwe’s victory in the Rugby Africa Cup marks the end of Namibia’s decade-long dominance in the men’s tournament.
Namibia, who records nine-time champions, had been unrivalled in the competition, reaching and convincingly winning all six Cup Finals for the past ten years.
With this victory, Zimbabwe have secured the top seed for next year’s Rugby Africa Cup, which will serve as the main qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Algeria, Namibia, and Kenya will also compete in the tournament that will also be hosted by Uganda, with the finalists earning a spot in the global showcase.
Namibia earned third place at this year’s Rugby Africa Cup after edging Kenya 38-22 in the third-place playoff that was played earlier in the day.
