The Rugby Africa Cup Division 1 is back in Antananarivo, Madagascar – and what a dramatic start the tournament has had on its opening day.
South Africa 55 Cameroon 0
The day opened with the favorites facing the less experienced team. For South Africa the aim is to reach the World Cup, for Cameroon their stated aim is simply to stay in Division 1.
However, it took the ‘Boks 12 minutes to finally get on the board through Ealing’s Lindewa Gwlal as South Africa finally got their maul moving.
This continued to be the main tactic, and brought a second try after 25m and a third after 31. Cameroon had no real answer in the wool, Gulal had a hat-trick and the Boks went 19-0 up at half time.
Quick thinking gave the ‘Boks a fourth try early in the second half as Cameroon prepared for a maul, and left a huge gap for the South African wing to run through. 24-0.
With Cameroon focusing everything on the maul, quick South African hands found a huge overlap and a fifth try. The Bo’s now switch to using their backs taking advantage of the tiring Cameroon. Four more tries followed, three for Makeala Samboya.
Madagascar 29 Kenya 22
The first match was just a warm-up for what was to come.
This game was close in 2023 – Kenya won 29-20 – now it would go down the line.
Two opposing teams. The much bigger Kenya team, with a team that relies on using their forward momentum, and Madagascar, with incredibly quick backs, are determined to run it all.
It started well for Kenya, with a try in 7u minute, thin. A mollusk on the left smothers the Madagascar defence, the ball sweeps to the right and Kenya scores from the overlap. 0-7 for Kenya.
A second try followed ten minutes later and Kenya looked to be in complete control, leading by 0-12. Madagascar was not yet out of its half.
But now Madagascar began to show what they could do. With no space at all, they ran the ball and found gaps to run and were finally rewarded with a try right at the end of the half, Kenya leading just 12-5 in a game where they dominated possession and ground. .
Madagascar stayed on the court throughout the break, building the crowd’s excitement, perhaps knowing they would have the advantage of a tough gas for the second 40.
It took five minutes for them to get their second try, the inside center getting through most of Kenya’s defense to dislodge their defence. 10-12.
Kenya soon stopped with a strike that Madagascar couldn’t stop (10-17) but another good effort in the 56th minute leveled the scores at 17-17 before the hour a smart lineout move put Oi home team led for the first time with 22-17.
But Kenya came back again, leveling the score at 22-22 as the game entered the final 10 minutes. And at the last minute.
Kenya had a 5m scrum but could not clear the line. A lineout and maul also stopped. Madagascar flipped over and a huge kick downfield (aided by that wind) turned defense into attack and the game was turned on its head. Madagascar scores, wild celebrations from the crowd, whistles and Madagascar win 29-22.
“And the crowd goes wild…”
It was played today too…
Zimbabwe 19, Zambia 17
Two teams who were very unlucky to miss out on the Africa Cup of Nations came together to open a rugby festival at Prince Edward School in Harare. All the points were in the first half, leading to a tense second half and finish. More details if and when we get them.