BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe (in this group picture before the match) gave themselves a huge morale booster on Saturday ahead of next week’s Rugby World Cup qualifiers with a workmanlike 30-7 win over host Netherlands in an international friendly with full Test status.
Centre Takudzwa Chieza, winger Matthew McNab, fullback Takudzwa Musingwini and replacement hooker Liam Larkan all scored a try each. The debutant young Test debutant Musingwini added two penalties while captain and scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki was the other scorer courtesy of conversations.
The Sables will now fly back to France, where Africa’s World Cup qualification tournament will take place. They open against the Ivory Coast in Marseilles on 1 July.
Meanwhile, another good Zimbabwean story on the same day was versatile backliner Tapiwa Mafura’s involvement in Pumas Currie Cup glory in Kimberley.
The Pumas outplayed Griquas in all departments, winning 26-19 to land a first-ever Currie Cup title Saturday in front of 11 000 roaring fans at Griqua Park.
Mafura, who played on the wing for Pumas, will join his Zimbabwe teammates on Monday in France ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.
