In what will be remembered as a classic instalment of Zimbabwean rugby, Old Hararians Sports Club—affectionately known as Marasta—clinched the fourth edition of the Nedbank Challenge Cup with a dramatic 25–20 victory over the defending champions, Harare Sports Club. Staged at the iconic Harare Sports Club ground, the final delivered everything it promised: intensity, flair, and a battle that went right down to the wire.
Both OH and HSC came into the final in blistering form. OH displayed their attacking prowess in a comprehensive 41–10 dismantling of the Junior Sables in the semi-finals. Their clinical execution and pace out wide sent a clear message to the rest of the competition. HSC, meanwhile, put on a masterclass of structured rugby, overpowering the Pitbulls 37–6 with their trademark forward dominance and tactical precision.
It set up a dream final—two of the country’s premier clubs in a winner-takes-all clash that lived up to every expectation.
From the outset, the final was a titanic contest. HSC drew first blood with a well-worked converted try, asserting early dominance. But OH, unshaken, responded with tenacity. Their ability to capitalise on turnovers and stretch the defence with swift, intelligent ball movement quickly brought them back into the game.
What followed was a pulsating exchange of tries, penalties, and tactical kicking as both teams refused to yield an inch. HSC’s physicality was met with OH’s ingenuity, as the game swung back and forth with neither side gaining more than a five-point cushion at any given point.
The decisive moment came in the final ten minutes. With fatigue setting in and tension mounting, OH’s forward pack produced a driving maul of immense power and precision, crashing over the try line to seize the lead. The conversion sealed a five-point gap, leaving HSC with everything to do.
In the dying moments, HSC launched a relentless assault, camping inside OH’s 22 in a last-ditch effort to retain their title. But Marasta’s defence held firm, repelling wave after wave of attack with sheer grit and organisation. When the final whistle blew, it was OH who stood tall, their name etched into the history books with a 25–20 triumph.
The victory marks a significant milestone for Old Hararians, who not only dethroned their fiercest rivals but also did so with a brand of rugby that blended flair, physicality, and tactical nous.
Earlier in the day, the Junior Sables edged out the Pitbulls 29–26 in a tightly contested 3rd/4th playoff. It was a match that highlighted Zimbabwe’s emerging talent, with several young players putting their hands up for future national selection. The fixture was a showcase of heart and potential, further underlining the depth developing within the country’s rugby structures.
Elsewhere, OGs secured fifth place with a composed 24–10 win over Nedbank HPC, while Bulawayo Metro claimed seventh in a thrilling 30–27 victory over Manicaland—a match that ebbed and flowed with both sides throwing everything at the contest.
The 2025 Nedbank Challenge Cup will be remembered not only for the spectacle of its finale but also for what it represents: a reinvigoration of Zimbabwean club rugby. Marasta’s crowning moment, forged in passion and resilience, has added another chapter to the sport’s growing legacy. If this tournament is a glimpse of what lies ahead for Zimbabwean rugby, then the future is indeed bright.
