Rugby: Simbas, Zimbabwe clash in tough tie

Kenya have not lost to Zimbabwe since 2015. [Courtesy]

National men’s rugby 15s team, Simbas, are looking to end Zimbabwe’s winning run in the Victoria Cup as the two sides clash at the Hartsfield Stadium in Bulawayo today.

Zimbabwe, champions of the showpiece the last time it was held in 2011, are the only unbeaten side in this year’s tournament. They launched their campaign with a 39-10 win over Zambia two weeks ago before following it up with a hard-fought 31-26 victory against Uganda in Kampala.

Kenya have not lost to Zimbabwe since 2015 and Paul Odera’s men, who beat Zambia 43-23 in Kitwe last weekend, will definitely head to today’s with confidence.

The last meeting between the sides saw the Simbas claim a 45-36 win in a 2019 World Cup qualifier at the RFUEA ground in Nairobi last year.

The Sables, as the Zimbabwe national team is fondly referred to, have a clean bill of health unlike Kenya's Simbas who have been dealt a blow after it emerged that full-back Isaac Njoroge has been sidelined. The KCB man sustained a head injury in Kenya’s last outing against Zambia.

Earlier this week, Jason Maritz, the team manager of Zimbabwe, was quoted by the Zimbabwe Rugby Union as saying: “Kenya is a tough side. They are competitive and have a strong desire to win. This is an important game and the Sables will be on high alert.”

“It is an advantage to win the first two matches and we know there is a lot of work to be done. Kenya will not be a walkover and we will give it everything."

The match, scheduled to kick off at 4.30pm, will go a long way in shaping the title race since both teams are favourites, at least on paper.

After playing Zimbabwe, Simbas will host Zambia in the return leg on August 24 before the Zimbabweans visit Nairobi next month.

After a seven-year absence, the Victoria Cup was revived to fill the void left by the abrupt cancellation of this year’s Africa Gold Cup. The four participating nations namely Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda and Zambia clash on a home and away basis with the best-ranked team at the conclusion of the tournament clinching the title.

With Kenya and Uganda having recently clashed in the two-legged Elgon Cup, they are exempted from facing off again with the Elgon Cup results doubling up in the Victoria Cup.