Kampala, Uganda | In a titanic clash worthy of the Rugby Africa Cup semi-finals, Zimbabwe’s Sables edged past fierce rivals Kenya 29–23 in a fiercely contested encounter marked by brute physicality, tactical brilliance, and the refined steel of Ian Prior’s boot.
The victory books Zimbabwe a place in the final against southern foes Namibia, and inches them tantalisingly closer to their long-awaited return to the Rugby World Cup.
The Sables drew first blood early in the opening exchanges, thanks to a moment of sublime chemistry between centres Brendon Mudzekenyedzi and Edward Sigauke. The duo sliced through the Kenyan defence with surgical precision, and Mudzekenyedzi dotted down a marvellous try, the kind that would not be out of place on a grander stage.
Kenya, undeterred and flamboyant, responded with a try of their own but failed to convert, levelling the scores at 5–5. Redemption soon came for Prior, who slotted a penalty with calm assurance, nudging Zimbabwe into an 8–5 lead. The game turned cagey as both teams wrestled for control in the midfield. With possession as the ultimate dictator, neither side was willing to yield.
But a yellow card to Kenya’s Griffin Chao for a cynical infringement handed the Sables a numerical advantage, tilting momentum ever so slightly in their favour. Kenya clawed back with a penalty to make it 8–8, but it was Zimbabwean skipper Hilton Mudariki who reasserted dominance.
Exploiting the narrowest of gaps after a series of disciplined mauls, he dotted down to reclaim the lead. Yet, the Kenyans were like cornered lions—dangerous and unyielding—and answered with a try of their own, dragging the score to 13–11 in Zimbabwe’s favour.
Tapiwa Mafura continued to mesmerise with his evasive running, carving crucial yards, though Prior’s radar momentarily faltered as he missed a penalty in front of the sticks.
That lapse would cost them—Kenya struck on the counter following a defensive lapse, scoring a converted try to take an 18–13 lead into halftime. The second half resumed with thunderous energy. Victor Mupunga, patched up from a blood injury, returned to the front row with renewed grit.
The back-and-forth continued as Bornwell Gwinji, replacing Cleopas Kundiona, surged through with power carries. Meanwhile, the midfield remained firmly under Zimbabwean control, as Mudzekenyedzi and Kudzai Mashawi kept the Kenyan backs on their heels.
Aiden Burnett, absent in the quarterfinals, made his presence known. Substituted in for Jason Fraser, Burnett pounced with fury, scoring beside the posts after a powerful driving effort from the forwards.
Prior converted with ease, and the Sables were back in front, 20–18. The closing stages became a tactical and mental war. Prior extended the lead with a deftly taken drop goal—calm, clinical, composed—putting Zimbabwe 23–18 ahead. But the Kenyans refused to fade, roaring back in search of possession and territory.
When a penalty was awarded in the 75th minute, Prior stepped up with ice in his veins and struck from outside the 22-yard line, stretching the lead to 26–18. Kenya, needing both a try and a penalty in the final five minutes, threw everything forward.
But it was Prior once more, the calm amidst the storm, who delivered the death knell—a long-range, acute-angle penalty that took the score to 29–18. Though Kenya would sneak in a consolation score, the deed had been done. The Sables held firm, the final whistle was blown, and the cacophony of Kenyan vuvuzelas fell to a hush.
Instead, it was the Ugandan and Zimbabwean voices that rent the air, bursting into celebratory chorus as the Sables formed a victorious huddle under the Kampala sun. The man of the match was none other than Tinotenda Mavesera, whose relentless graft and physical dominance set the tone for Zimbabwe’s forwards.
“Ndezva Mwari—it’s all about God,” Mavesera said, his brow still glistening with effort as he waded through a second scrum, this one of reporters clamouring for a word. “Thank God the boys came through, this was for our nation and the people back home. This means everything to us and it is a privilege for each of us to do this thing we all love. I’m happy we stuck to our plan and believed in it.”
And believe they did.
Zimbabwe now march on to face Namibia in what promises to be a clash of giants, with a ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup hanging in the balance. But for now, they will savour a performance that was both beautiful and brutal—an ode to courage, discipline, and the undying spirit of the green-and-white hoops.
