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[QUOTE="Munyaradzi Mafaro, post: 50497, member: 636"]
Zimbabwe rugby players smashed Morocco 43-8 in their opening Rugby Africa Cup match on a soaking wet Tuesday in Kampala. Coach Piet Benade watched his Sables team bounce back from their terrible defeat against South Africa just weeks earlier. The heavy rain made playing conditions tough but Zimbabwe adapted faster than their opponents. Ian Prior kicked brilliantly and scored 23 points while tries from Tapiwa Mafura, Edward Sigauke, Dylan Utete and Trevor Gurwe sealed the big win. The victory sets up a massive semi-final showdown against Kenya.

Benade admitted his team looked rusty at first but settled into their rhythm as the match went on. The wet ball made it hard for Zimbabwe to play their usual fast attacking game but their forwards dominated the scrums and lineouts. Morocco struggled with the slippery conditions and could not match Zimbabwe's power and pace. The coach praised Prior for his perfect kicking display and said the team had trained in wet weather back home in Harare. Benade knows Kenya will provide a much tougher test in the semi-finals.

The South Africa tour had left Zimbabwe rugby badly damaged after two heavy defeats exposed major weaknesses. Kenya beat hosts Uganda 32-24 in their quarter-final match and will bring big athletic players and skilled playmakers. Benade watched Kenya closely and warned his players they must perform at their absolute best. The Rugby Africa Cup gives Zimbabwe a chance to rebuild their reputation after the South African humiliation.
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