Senegal……. (13) 16  

Zimbabwe… (6)  28

THE Zimbabwe Sables made a bright start to their 2017 Rugby Africa Gold Cup when they came from behind to overpower Senegal at Stade Iba Mar Diop in Dakar on Saturday.

The Sables trailed the West Africans 13-6 heading into halftime with two Tichafara Makwanya penalty goals keeping them in the game. Cyprian Mandenge’s men changed their game in the second half with their first try coming from wing Takudzwa Kumadiro after a brilliant interchange of passes involving Connor Pritchard and Makwanya. Another unconverted try by scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki put Zimbabwe 16-13 ahead but Senegal booted in a penalty to make it 16-16.

Zimbabwe regained the lead with another unconverted try by Kumadiro as they went 21-16 in front. Stephan Hunduza went over under the posts, Makwanya this time around booting in the conversion to ensure the Sables of victory.

Next up for the Sables is a match against Namibia in Windhoek on 15 July.

Zimbabwe Sables: Denford Mutamangira, Tolerance Zishe, Lawrence Cleminson, Fortune Chipendu, Witness Mandizha, Connor Pritchard, Biselele Tshamala, Osborne Muhambi, Hilton Mudariki, Tichafara Makwanya, Lenience Tambwera, Ngoni Chibuwe, Takudzwa Kumadiro Tadius Dzandiwandira

Replacements: Graham Cochrane, Irvine Nduwa, Brian Nyaunde, Takudzwa Mandiwanza, Scott Jones, Tinashe Gwisai, Tarisai Mugariri

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