Zimbabwe emerged victorious in the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup on Sunday, claiming their first title in 12 years with a commanding 29-3 win over Algeria in the Ugandan capital, Kampala. The victory marks Zimbabwe’s second championship in this prestigious tournament, with their previous win dating back to 2012.
Algeria, reaching their first final after notable victories against Ivory Coast and Kenya, faced a formidable Zimbabwean side determined to reclaim the title. The Sables delivered a stellar performance, scoring four tries while preventing any from their opponents.
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Right wing Trevor Gurwe led the charge with two first-half tries, setting the pace for Zimbabwe. The match remained competitive until the final minutes when replacement front-rower Liam Larkan and openside Godfrey Muzanargwo secured the win with tries in the last seven minutes.
“This is a dream come true for every player and staff member. We dedicate this victory to the millions of Zimbabweans who have supported us throughout our journey,” said Zimbabwe captain Hilton Mudariki. “This is just the beginning, and we are committed to building on this success. This win is not just for the team, it is for the 16 million Zimbabweans dotted around the world.”
Zimbabwe’s triumph sees them rise to 28th in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, their highest position since November 2015. Meanwhile, Algeria’s impressive run to the final will elevate them to a record high of 58th, up from 69th at the start of the month.
The tournament also saw Namibia’s decade-long reign as African champions come to an end. Namibia, a six-time titleholder, lost to Zimbabwe in the semi-finals but managed to secure a third-place finish by defeating Kenya 38-27. This victory prevents Namibia from sliding further in the rankings, placing them at 25th.
Kenya’s back-to-back defeats, including a loss to Algeria in the semi-finals, result in the Simbas dropping to 37th in the rankings. The tournament hosts, Uganda, secured fifth place after a thrilling 34-31 win over Senegal, moving them up to 36th, surpassing Kenya in the rankings.
In the seventh-place playoff, Ivory Coast defeated Burkina Faso 23-10. Despite the win, Ivory Coast remains six places down in the rankings at 62nd.
Veteran Zimbabwean player Brian Makamure, the only team member from the 2012 championship, celebrates a unique achievement as the only player to have won the Rugby Africa Cup twice with the Sables.
As the Rugby Africa Men’s Cup concludes, Zimbabwe’s victory not only brings glory to their team but also serves as an inspiration for the entire nation, highlighting the potential for future success in international rugby.
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