Zimbabwe Storm into Final

Zimbabwe Storm into Final After beating Old Rivals Namibia for the First Time in 23

Years at the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup

Zimbabwe Captain Hilton Mudariki said he was “at loss of words” after leading his side to a first win over Namibia in two decades as the Sables stormed into Sunday’s Rugby Africa Cup final.

The Zimbabweans comfortably won 32-10 at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala after scoring four tries and flyhalf Ian Prior adding on from the kicking tee on Wednesday, July 24.

An explosive backline was Zimbabwe’s main weapon, with the 20-year-old right winger Edward Sigauke collecting a well-weighed cross kick to score the first try after Namibia’s captain and flyhalf Danco Burger had given the defending champions the lead through a penalty.

Outside-centre Brandon Mudzekenyedzi increased Zimbabwe’s lead after showing a clean pair of heels to cross the whitewash.

Man-of-the-match Tapiwa Mafura, a joy to watch throughout the match, put daylight between the two Southern African rivals with a third for Zimbabwe in the second half.

Fullback Mafura, who made dangerous attacks with his slick skills, then dummied two Namibia players to set up Mudzekenyedzi for the match-sealing try.

Replacement flyhalf Denzo Bruwer then made sure the Namibians finished the match with a try, which he converted, but Zimbabwe had all but booked a place in Sunday’s final against Algeria. The North Africans stunned Kenya 20-12 earlier in the other semi-final.

Zimbabwe last beat Namibia exactly 23 years ago, in July 2003 in Bulawayo, in an Africa Cup match.

“I’m at loss of words,” Zimbabwe captain and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki said in the post-match interview.

“The amount of work, the amount of graft, I’m so happy for the guys.”

The Zimbabweans will now start as favourites in the final as the curtains come down on what has been a memorable tournament in Uganda on Sunday, July 28.

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Namibia Team List

• 1.

  Loosehead Prop:

  Jason Benade

• 2.

  Hooker:

  Obert Nortje (VC)

• 3.

  Tighthead Prop:

  Haitembu Shikufa

• 4.

  Left Lock:

  Johan Retief

• 5.

  Right Lock:

  Ruan Ludick

• 6.

  Left Flanker:

  Pieter Diergaardt

• 7.

  Right Flanker:

  Max Katjitjeko

• 8.

  Number Eight:

  Adriaan Booysen

• 9.

  Scrum Half:

  Jacques Theron

• 10.

  Fly Half:

  Danco Burger (C)

• 11.

  Left Wing:

  Nandi Karuuombe

• 12.

  Left Centre:

  Alcino Isaacs

• 13.

  Right Centre:

  Hillian Beukes

• 14.

  Right Wing:

  Quirone Majiedt

• 15.

  Full Back:

  Jay Cee Nel

• 16.

  Front Row:

  Armand Combrink

• 17.

  Front Row:

  Desidarius Sethie

• 18.

  Front Row:

  Ian Klitzke

• 19.

  Reserve:

  Mahepisa Tjeriko

• 20.

  Reserve:

  Minyoi Kistings

• 21.

  Reserve:

  AJ Kearns

• 22.

  Reserve:

  Denzo Bruwer

• 23.

  Reserve:

  Lloyed Jacobs

Zimbabwe Team List

• 1.

  Loosehead Prop

  : Victor Mupunga

• 2.

  Hooker

  : Simba Mandioma

• 3.

  Tighthead Prop

  : Cleopas Kundiona

• 4.

  Left Lock

  : Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa

• 5.

  Right Lock

  : Simba Siraha

• 6.

  Left Flanker

  : Tinotenda Mavesere

• 7.

  Right Flanker

  : Dylan Utete

• 8.

  Number 8

  : Aiden Burnette

• 9.

  Scrum Half

  : Hilton Mudariki (Captain)

• 10.

  Fly Half

  : Ian Prior

• 11.

  Left Wing

  : Takudzwa Musingwini

• 12.

  Left Centre

  : Kudzai Mashawi

• 13.

  Right Centre

  : Brandon Mudzekenyedzi

• 14.

  Right Wing

  : Edward Sigauke

• 15.

  Full Back

  : Tapiwa Mafura

• 16.

  Front Row Reserve

  : Zvikomborero Chimoto

• 17.

  Front Row Reserve

  : Liam Larkan

• 18.

  Front Row Reserve

  : Bornwell Gwinji

• 19.

  Reserve

  : David Makamba

• 20.

  Reserve

  : Tadiwa Gwashu

• 21.

  Reserve

  : Keegan Joubert

• 22.

  Reserve

  : Dion Khumalo

• 23.

  Reserve

  : Trevor Gurwe

Nicole Vervelde