BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe showed gulf in class again at the Rugby Under-20 Africa Cup in Kenya, smashing Tunisia 60-6 to reach Sunday’s final and be on course to retain their title.
The Young Sables got the go-forward ball that allowed their lively backs to display raw pace and bag of skills, while the pack itself – as vowed by head coach Shaun De Souza before the tie – also came to the part in the try-feast in addition to dominating a bigger Tunisian side in the physical battle.
Zimbabwe amassed 10 tries in total.
Winger Edward Sigauke, fullback Simbarashe Kanyangarara, inside-centre Alex Nyamunda and open-side flank Muzuva Gutu all scored twice whilst substitutes Brendan Jameson and Tanaka Chinyanga also crossed the whitewash in an all-round performance by the defending champions only marred fly-half Brendon Marume’s struggles with his kicking.
After Tunisia started well early on, Zimbabwe found their rhythm to lead 22-6 at the half time before turning on the style in the second spell with their “bombing squad”, as also by De Souza, putting the bruised North Africans to the sword in a very comfortable win for the Young Sables.
Traveling Zimbabwe fans inside the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Zimbabwe, who hammered Côte d’Ivoire 55-0 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, haven’t conceded a try in their two matches, which will give their defence a lift in the final on Sunday.
Zimbabwe will play Kenya in Sunday’s final after the East Africans beat Namibia 24-13 to set what promises to be a thrilling clash at Nyayo National Stadium.
The outcome means that both teams in the final have qualified for July’s Junior World Rugby Trophy to be held in Kenya. Sunday’s final has lots of bragging rights at stake, though: Zimbabwe to retain their Africa Cup title, and Kenya to be crowned champions in front of a partisan home crowd.
