The Zimbabwe Sables triumphed over Zambia with a dominant 70–15 win in the first leg of the ‘Battle of the Zambezi’. After an early penalty by Zambia, Zimbabwe rapidly asserted control with tries from debutant Nyasha Shiripinda and captain Hilton Mudariki. The Sables displayed depth and resilience, ultimately scoring ten tries. Team captain Hilton Mudariki recognized areas for improvement post-match but celebrated a strong start to the season.
The Sables, Zimbabwe’s senior men’s rugby team, kicked off their 2025 season with an impressive 70–15 victory over Zambia in the first leg of the much-anticipated ‘Battle of the Zambezi’ at Harare Sports Club. The loss marked a tough start for Zambia, who initially took the lead with an early penalty from Alex Mwewa. However, Zimbabwe quickly took command of the match.
Immediately responding to Zambia’s initial points, debutant Nyasha Shiripinda showcased his talent by scoring a try just moments after collecting the kickoff. Linience Tambwera, who displayed a perfect kicking performance, converted successfully, establishing an early lead for Zimbabwe. Shortly after, prop Bornwell Gwinji barged over for a second try, benefiting from an aggressive series of carries by the forwards. Tambwera added another conversion, solidifying their position.
Not to be outshined, Captain Hilton Mudariki registered a try of his own during his 51st Test cap, darting through close quarters and once again, Tambwera maintained his accuracy with the conversion. Zambia managed to answer back with a try of their own, briefly diminishing Zimbabwe’s lead, but the Sables dominated the match as they exhibited strong teamwork and relentless aggression. By halftime, the score stood at a commanding 28–10 in favor of the hosts.
The second half saw the Sables shift into a higher gear, as they scored multiple tries, taking advantage of Zambia’s fatigue and defensive lapses. Zimbabwe’s strategic depth off the bench was evident, and they continued to extend their lead, surpassing the 50-point mark. By the end of the match, Zimbabwe amassed a total of ten tries, with Tambwera converting many, some from challenging positions. Zambia did manage to score another try in the second half, but it only served as a consolation, as the final score reflected an emphatic 70–15 defeat for them.
Reflecting on the victory post-match, Captain Mudariki expressed enthusiasm but also awareness of areas needing improvement: “Super happy to have such a great win in front of the home fans. It’s good to see all the work we put in translating to the scoreboard. It was a good win but we made a lot of errors on the field and had some discipline issues on the park, but these are things we will easily fix. Playing at home is always the best, especially when we also get a win. The home fans played a huge role today.”
With this significant margin of victory, Zimbabwe heads into the second leg possessing a strong advantage and looking to maintain their supremacy in this regional contest, setting themselves up well for future success against Zambia.
In summary, Zimbabwe’s Sables showcased their prowess with a decisive 70–15 victory over Zambia in their opening match of the 2025 season. Key performances from debutant Nyasha Shiripinda and veteran captain Hilton Mudariki not only highlighted individual skills but also the team’s collective strength. Despite some errors noted by Captain Mudariki, Zimbabwe is well-positioned to carry this momentum into the next encounter, underlining their dominance in this budding regional rivalry.
Original Source: www.newzimbabwe.com
