RAMPANT Zimbabwe Sables thrashed Burkina Faso 101-03 in a Rugby Africa Group D World Cup Qualifier second-round match played behind closed doors at Old Georgians Sports Club in Harare.
Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso have qualified to the next round after Tunisia withdrew from the tournament due to Covid-19 regulations imposed by their government.
After several weeks in camp, the Sables finally got back on the park with a date against the west African giants Burkina Faso.
Gaffer Brendan Dawson gave former Junior Sables flank Sebastian Roche and inside centre Marcus Nel full senior debuts. The two did not disappoint as they both managed to score a try each.
Dawson once again experimented with the flyhalf position as Keith Chiwara was the trusted general in the number 10 jumper.
He held his own, scoring 21 points from the kicking tee and dictated proceedings in the middle of the park well. Chiwara’s and ball distribution was exceptional.
It seems almost every player was involved in the try fest, with left-wing Matthew McNab and props Cleopas Kundiona scoring two tries each.
While Martin Mangongo, Shayne Makombe, Shingi Katsvere, Aidan Burnnet, Blithe Mavesere and Dean Makoni all crossed the whitewash, probably with a century target on their mind.
Burkina Faso only managed to trouble the scorers with a solitary penalty by their Fly half Kassoume Deme.
The two sides square off again on Thursday, with Zimbabwe all but assured of finishing on top of Group D.
