Young Sables crowned African Champions

ZIMBABWE U-20 . . . . (11) 19 NAMIBIA U-20 . . . . . . . (6) 14

ZIMBABWE’S Under-20 rugby team celebrated their first continental title in 11 years after beating bitter rivals Namibia to clinch the Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthes Trophy at the Nyayo International Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, yesterday.

Tries from winger Liberty Sibanda and scrumhalf Panashe Zuze in addition to two penalties by fullback Brendan Marume and another three-pointer by skipper Takudzwa Musingwini sealed a memorable fourth continental title for Zimbabwe.

A torrential downpour in the second half meant the Junior Sables had to overcome a nervy period towards the end of the match as Namibia fought back to be within five points on the slippery wet surface.

However, the Zimbabwe team fought hard in defence to grind out a victory and secure their first U20 Barthes Trophy crown since winning their third successive continental championship in 2011 when it was still known as the Junior Africa Cup.

The Young Sables were worthy winners as they put on a performance full of vigour and character to upstage the Namibians, who have in the past always found a way to upstage local teams from the age-group side to the senior team.

“The boys came out to play. It was a tough encounter, but they worked hard for this. We’ve got a young team and the excitement all around,” Zimbabwe coach Shaun de Souza said after the match.

“We were fortunate that they played their game against Kenya before ours, so we had an opportunity to analyse their game. We saw their strengths and tried to capitalise, as you saw our defensive system had changed from the

last game.”

Despite starting as second-favourites, the fired-up Zimbabweans were quick off the blocks, putting their much-fancied opponents on the back foot almost immediately as prop Tomuvonga Msasanure came close to scoring an early try.

However, it was the Namibians who were first to put points on the scoreboard as Riaan Grove drilled a penalty from just inside the halfway line for a 3-0 lead.

Zimbabwe responded by levelling proceedings, with the boot of Marume bringing the scores to three all after Namibia were penalised for being offside.

With the wind in their sails, the Young Sables grabbed the first try of the game when winger Sibanda weaved through the Namibia defence and evaded a number of tackles to touch down, but Marume failed to add the extras.

Namibia and Zimbabwe traded penalties through Geraldo Beukes and Musingwini as the Young Sables went into the halftime break with a 11-6 lead.

After a quiet opening 10 minutes of the second half, Namibia reduced the deficit with a penalty from Beukes to make it a two-point game.

The Young Sables responded in style after some brilliant interplay on the left flank that curved open the Namibia defence, allowing the nimble-footed Zuze to score an unconverted try which gave them a 16-9 lead.

With action swinging from one end to the other, Namibia responded with a try of their own and make it a two points game after Beukes crucially missed the conversion.

A crucial late penalty from Marume increased the Young Sables’ lead to five points before they weathered a late storm from Namibia to be crowned the 2022 Barthes Cup champions.