Sables thump Uganda, survive relegation from Rugby Africa Gold Cup

19 Aug, 2018 - 00:08 0 Views
Sables thump Uganda, survive  relegation from Rugby Africa Gold Cup The Zimbabwe Sables with Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani and vice president Martin Shone ahead of their Rugby Africa Gold Cup clash with Uganda yesterday

The Sunday News

The Zimbabwe Sables with Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani and vice president Martin Shone ahead of their Rugby Africa Gold Cup clash with Uganda yesterday

The Zimbabwe Sables with Zimbabwe Rugby Union president Aaron Jani and vice president Martin Shone ahead of their Rugby Africa Gold Cup clash with Uganda yesterday

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Sables ensured that they remain in the elite Rugby Africa Gold Cup with a 38-18 triumph over Uganda at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala yesterday.

It was the only win for the Peter de Villiers-coached Sables in this year’s Gold Cup. Prior to yesterday’s win, Zimbabwe had recorded a draw and three losses. Zimbabwe led 19-10 going into half-time and never let go with the Denford Mutamangira led Sables holding on to win. The Sables picked up a bonus point victory which saw them finish with eight points and in fourth place, better than Tunisia and relegated Morocco.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Martin Shone with Sables skipper Denford Mutamangira in Kampala, Uganda yesterday

Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Martin Shone with Sables skipper Denford Mutamangira in Kampala, Uganda yesterday

Tafadzwa Chitokwindo and fellow wing Shayne Makombe were in magnificent form with two tries apiece, loose forward Connor Pritchard and fullback Shingirai Katsvere went over the line once each while flyhalf Lenience Tambwera booted in four conversions.

What was a promising year for the Sables which started off well with the appointment of De Villiers with hopes high that the team will be fighting for qualifying to next year’s Rugby World Cup almost ended in disaster with the Sables almost relegated from the Gold Cup.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Martin Shone (middle) with Sables players, lock Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa (left) and prop Irvine Nduwa (right) after Zimbabwe's 38-18 victory over Uganda in Kampala yesterday

Zimbabwe Rugby Union vice president Martin Shone (middle) with Sables players, lock Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa (left) and prop Irvine Nduwa (right) after Zimbabwe’s 38-18 victory over Uganda in Kampala yesterday

Vice-president, Martin Shone, who travelled with the team to Uganda, believes the Sables were unlucky not to have won their previous encounters in the Gold Cup. Shone is of the view that the future is bright for the Sables since the team has fairly young players.

“Well, the team has been unlucky not to have won their previous games, it was purely bad luck. But today they put behind that and came out guns blazing from the kick off they within five minutes. The team has an average age of 22 so definitely we have a team for the future, the guys put in a good shift,’’ Shone said.

Meanwhile, Namibia defeated Kenya 53-28 in Windhoek yesterday to automatically qualify for the World Cup while the Kenyans still stand a chance to qualify for Japan as they get into the Repechage competition.

Sables against Uganda:
Denford Mutamangira, Mathew Mandioma, Lawrence Cleminson, Antipas Kamkwindo, Fortunate Chipendo, Brian Nyaude, Connor Pritchard, Tapfuma Parirenyatwa, Ernest Mudzengerere, Lenience Tambwera, Tafadzwa Chitokwindo, Brendon Mandivenga, Tafadzwa Mhende, Shayne Makombe, Shingirai Katsvere

Replacements: David Makanda, Cleopas Kundiona, Irvine Nduwa, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Jeremiah Jaravaza, Takudzwa Kumadiro, Mathew McNab
@Mdawini_29

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds