Zimbabwe claim Bronze at Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy

Zimbabwe bounced back from their semi-final disappointment to secure third place in the Performance Division of the 2026 Rugby Africa U20 Barthes Trophy with a convincing 38-12 victory over Tunisia at Muteesa II Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The Junior Sables produced a much-improved performance after looking out of sorts in their 35-23 semi-final defeat to Kenya on Friday.

Zimbabwe showed greater attacking intent and control from the outset, with Munangi Kamwendo, Wayne Gandiwa, Kudakwashe Kachambwa, Curtis Mashonganyika, Rukudzo Madinga, Mthabisi Ndlovu and captain Takudzwa Matsvimbo all scpring points.

Kamwendo opened the scoring from inside-centre before fullback Gandiwa added another, as Zimbabwe began to establish their authority. Loosehead prop Kachambwa and winger Mashonganyika also got their names on the scoresheet, with Madinga, Ndlovu and captain Matsvimbo completing Zimbabwe’s seven-try haul.ents a strong response from the Junior Sables, who will take plenty of positives from their final performance after missing out on the final.

For Tunisia, the defeat brings a difficult tournament to a close, with the result confirming their relegation from the Performance Division.

Zimbabwe’s bronze-medal finish caps a tournament in which they showed both promise and inconsistency, but their emphatic final-day victory provides an encouraging note on which to build as the country’s next generation of rugby talent continues to develop.