Zimbabwe Sables in huge win over Netherlands

25 Jun, 2022 - 23:06 0 Views
Zimbabwe Sables in huge win over Netherlands Zimbabwe National Rugby Team, The Sables

The Sunday News

Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE warmed up for the Rugby Africa Cup in France when they hammered Netherlands 30-7 Rugby Stadion in Amsterdam yesterday.

Rugby Africa Cup

The win was a huge morale booster for the Brendan Dawson coached Sables who now head to France where they will try to qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup in the European country.

Zimbabwe face Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals of the Rugby Africa Cup on 1 July.

If they win, their opponents in the semis are likely to be Namibia if the Namibians triumph over Burkina Faso in the quarterfinals.

What is more motivating for Zimbabwe is that the win has propelled them up the World Rugby rankings. Before the match, Zimbabwe were ranked 34th while their opponents were up at 26 in the global standings.

Zimbabwe’s resounding win will see them climb up the rankings when World Rugby update the log on Monday.

Three players made their debut appearances for Zimbabwe against the Dutch.

Takudzwa Musingwini

Full-back Takudzwa Musingwini who was involved with Zimbabwe’s Under-20 side in the recent Barthes Trophy, loose forwards, Jason Fraser and Nyasha Tarusenga were debutants who started for Zimbabwe yesterday.

Dawson will be boosted by the presence of the highly rated backline player Tapiwa Mafura who is joining the team this week after winning South Africa Carling Currie Cup with the Airlink Pumas after they defeated the Griquas 26-19 in the final played in Kimberly yesterday.

Zimbabwe Sables: Tyran Fagan, Matthew Mandioma, Cleopas Kundiona, Sean Beevor, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Jason Fraser, Biselele Tshamala, Nyasha Tarusenga, Hilton Mudariki (captain), Marcus Nel, Shingirai Katsvere, Takudzwa Chieza, Matthew McNab, Shayne Makombe, Takudzwa Musingwini

Replacements: Liam Larkan, Victor Mupunga, Bornwell Gwinji, Godwin Mangenje, Johan du Preez, Kyle Galloway, James Forrester, Ngoni Chibuwe— Follow on Twitter @Mdawini_29

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