Zimbabwe Claim Bronze After 38-12 Victory Over Tunisia
Zimbabwe Claim Bronze At Rugby Africa 2026 U20 Barthes Trophy As Tunisia Are Relegated Zimbabwe bounced back from their semi-final defeat to beat Tunisia…
Zimbabwe Claim Bronze At Rugby Africa 2026 U20 Barthes Trophy As Tunisia Are Relegated
Zimbabwe bounced back from their semi-final defeat to beat Tunisia 38-12 and secure third place in the Performance Division, with the result confirming Tunisia’s relegation to First Division. (Streaming, copyright free images, match highlights and fixtures available below)
KAMPALA, Uganda –Zimbabwe have secured third place in the Performance Division of the Rugby Africa 2026 U20 Barthes Trophy after a much-improved performance saw them beat Tunisia 38-12.
The Zimbabweans, who looked out of sorts in their 35-23 defeat to Kenya in Friday’s semi-final, were a rejuvenated side at Muteesa II Stadium, with tries from inside-centre Munangi Kamwendo, fullback Wayne Gandiwa, loosehead prop Kudakwashe Kachambwa, wingers Curtis Mashonganyika and Rukudzo Madinga, replacement forward Mthabisi Ndlovu, and captain and tighthead prop Takudzwa Matsvimbo.
The first half was an evenly balanced affair, with the two sides tied at 12-12 at the break after cancelling each other out in a physical contest.
Tunisia capitalised on a yellow card to Zimbabwe flanker Cyril Cherayi in the first half, scoring two tries while they had the numerical advantage. Prop Youssef Bejaoui crashed over before outside-centre Mohammed Youssef Abid completed a slick move to give the North Africans the lead.
But Zimbabwe roared back in the second half with a polished performance to seal the bronze medal.
“We are just proud to do this for all the people back home,” said Zimbabwe’s Munangi Kamwendo in the post-match interview.
“In the first half we didn’t communicate well as a team, but we later improved and the boys got their energy up. What I’ve learnt from this tournament is that you never give up.”
Performance Division
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
- Kenya
- Tunisia
First Division
- Zambia
- Uganda
Friday 7 August 2026 (EAT)
- 10:00 - Namibia (11) vs Tunisia (6) (Performance Division)
- 13:00 - Kenya (35) vs Zimbabwe (23) (Performance Division)
- 16:00 - Zambia (0) vs Uganda (81) (First Division)
Tuesday 11 August 2026 (EAT)
- 12:00 - Tunisia (12) vs Zimbabwe (38) (Performance Division)
- 14:00 - Zambia vs Uganda (First Division)
- 16:00 - Namibia vs Kenya (Performance Division) (Winner of Tournament)
Saturday 15 August 2026 (EAT)
- 16:00 - Uganda vs Zimbabwe (Test Match)
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Rugby Africa (www.RugbyAfrique.com) is the governing body of rugby in Africa and one of the regional associations under World Rugby. It unites all African countries that play rugby union, rugby sevens, and women’s rugby. Rugby Africa organizes various competitions, including the qualifying tournaments for the Rugby World Cup and the Africa Sevens, a qualifying competition for the Olympic Games. With 39 member unions, Rugby Africa is dedicated to promoting and developing rugby across the continent. World Rugby highlighted Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia as three of the six emerging nations experiencing strong growth in rugby.
