Zimbabwe have secured third place in the Performance Division of the Rugby Africa 2026 U20 Barthes Trophy after a much-improved performance saw them beat Tunisia 38-12.
The Zimbabweans, who looked out of sorts in their 35-23 defeat to Kenya in Friday’s semi-final, were a rejuvenated side at Muteesa II Stadium, with tries from inside-centre Munangi Kamwendo, fullback Wayne Gandiwa, loosehead prop Kudakwashe Kachambwa, wingers Curtis Mashonganyika and Rukudzo Madinga, replacement forward Mthabisi Ndlovu, and captain and tighthead prop Takudzwa Matsvimbo.
The first half was an evenly balanced affair, with the two sides tied at 12-12 at the break after cancelling each other out in a physical contest.
Tunisia capitalised on a yellow card to Zimbabwe flanker Cyril Cherayi in the first half, scoring two tries while they had the numerical advantage. Prop Youssef Bejaoui crashed over before outside-centre Mohammed Youssef Abid completed a slick move to give the North Africans the lead.
But Zimbabwe roared back in the second half with a polished performance to seal the bronze medal.
“We are just proud to do this for all the people back home,” said Zimbabwe’s Munangi Kamwendo in the post-match interview.
“In the first half we didn’t communicate well as a team, but we later improved and the boys got their energy up. What I’ve learnt from this tournament is that you never give up.”
SOURCE: RUGBY AFRICA
