Zimbabwe won the Victoria Cup on Saturday with a 41-5 defeat of Zambia in Lusaka. The four-nation tournament was revived this year after the cancellation of the African championships.
Zimbabwe were in fact the defending champions, having headed off Kenya for the title eight years ago. The Simbas had won the inaugural championship the year before that.
Also involved were Uganda, who finished third with three wins and three losses. Zambia were involved for the first time and suffered six straight defeats. They were by no means out of their depth, however, and ran the Ugandans close in their previous outing.
There is still one game remaining, with Kenya hosting Zimbabwe next weekend. The Sables head into that match with five straight wins and an unassailable lead on the table. Kenya have lost twice.
Natal Sharks U21 tighthead prop Cleopas Kundiona, playing his first game of the year for Zimbabwe, scored a brace of tries against Zambia. Sables led 22-0 at halftime.
Captain Hilton Mudariki, wing Takudzwa Kumadiro, flyhalf Dudlee White-Sharpley, fullback Martin Mangongo and flanker Blithe Mavesere were the other try-scorers. The hosts’ lone score came with a break down the right wing just after the interval.
This may be an indication that new coach Brendon Dawson has got the formula right. Dawson was appointed earlier in the year after former Springboks coach Peter de Villiers was controversially dismissed for an “unauthorised absence from work”.
Assistant coach Tonderai Chavhanga says Zimbabwe are keen to finish on a winning note in Kenya regardless. The Sables have experienced some lean years since their last World Cup appearance almost three decades ago, often disappointing in the African championships.
Kenya, despite failing to live up to their “favourites” tag, have received some good news anyway, with the announcement of a K115 million (A$1.6 million) sponsorship deal with Kenya Breweries Limited).
This has led to the revival of the Safari Sevens tournament after almost a decade in hiatus. The BlitzBoks and Spain have already signed up, along with Zimbabwe, Uganda, French and Russian teams, and leading provincial sides Western Province and the Blue Bulls. The tournament will be staged between 18 and 20 October.
Meanwhile, there was one other international rugby fixture this weekend, with the Dominican Republic defeating the British Virgin Islands 15-0 in Santo Domingo after the first half had ended scoreless.
The result was quite a turnaround for the Dominicans, who had lost their previous encounters with BVI 62-5 and 17-0, albeit it 19 and 12 years ago respectively. In fact it is the first time they have beaten anyone in official competition apart from Curacao, who they have defeated three times.
It is interesting to compare populations, with the Dominican Republic’s approaching 11 million and BVI’s a mere 35,000. Neither team is ranked by World Rugby, but the latter entered the match at 34th in the Americas, Dominican Republic 37th ahead of Honduras and El Salvador only.
The Dominicans’ success augurs well for rugby in the region. They share the island of Hispaniola with Haiti and are in close proximity to Cuba. All three nations have similar populations and have met in the past in sevens competition.
Like its African counterpart, the North American competition carries on right into the opening week of the World Cup, with Bermuda hosting Guadeloupe in the final next Saturday. The pair are ranked 15th and 24th in the Americas respectively. Bermuda also have a World Rugby ranking of 69th.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, Saturday's Victoria Cup finale between Zimbabwe and Kenya will be staged in Nakuru, 4th largest city in Kenya with a population of 400K, located about 150kms from the capital Nairobi. A crowd of 10K is expected, even though Zimbabwe has already clinched the title with five straight wins, including a 30-29 thriller over Simbas in Bulawayo. The inclusion of two local players in the Kenyan lineup will add interest.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
The Kenya Rugby Union will on Friday 20 September unveil New Zealand tactician Paul Feeney as the Kenya 7s Head coach.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
This weekend: 06.00 Mongolia v Taiwan 12.00 Czech Rep. v Hungary 13.00 Kenya v Zimbabwe 18.00 Bermuda v Guadeloupe 20.00 Paraguay v. Bolivia Plus some games in Japan, apparently . . .
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Not sure about that. They're not what they once were in 7s either. But the sponsorship package from Kenya Breweries is great news, allowing the nation to stage its international Safari 7s event again. :thumbup:
Paul
Roar Rookie
May be they decided Sevens was the better return on investment.
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I seem to recall they were invited at one stage but it didn't eventuate. & they've gone downhill since then, losing to teams they used to beat (like Germany & Hong Kong at the World Cup qualifying repechage). The problem in much of Africa is obviously cash. They're falling further and further behind the rest of the international rugby community.
Paul
Roar Rookie
Sounds like they need a lot of help administratively and strategically. Has a Kenyan team ever played in the Currie Cup? If not I'd be saying that's a logical next step...
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
I think the main problem for Kenya was they placed more emphasis on the Elgon Cup series with Uganda than the Victoria Cup itself, re-scheduling willy-nilly and so on. Hopefully they've learnt their lesson and will take it more seriously next year. I'd like to see it expanded as well. Namibia should be involved, for starters, though I guess they'd need to change the name of the tournament. & yes, It would certainly be good to see a couple more major teams at the Safari 7s tournament.
Paul
Roar Rookie
IW thanks for the African update. I often wonder if the Kenyans have been able to translate their success at the Sevens into the 15-a-side game. I hope the Australian side get behind the Safari Sevens too.
Bobwire
Guest
Some excellent research Wingman, thank you, good news for Zimbabwe, beating Zambia, the other good news — Mugabe died.