Leopards dismantle 14-man Zimbabwe
The Leopards ran in 11 tries to three, which includes a hat-trick of tries by Bertru Jones.
Zimbabwe were reduced to 14 men in the 48th minute, when wing Tafedziswa Bunu was shown the red, after two yellow cards for dangerous tackles.
Early nerves was evident from the kick-off, with Zimbabwe looking more threatening on attack but were hampered by handling errors.
Soon the Leopards found their feet and went on to score two early tries, the first try was scored by flyhalf Hanru van Rooyen, as Lohan Jahns and Mitchelle van der Merwe traded passes to set up the flyhalf.
The centre pair were again influential during the second try and this time Jahns got his own name on the score sheet. Van Rooyen added the extras to take the score to 12-0.
Zimbabwe's forwards struggled with the Leopards' pack, however, Zimbabwe's backline looked dangerous with ball in hand and finally broke the duck after 12 minutes of play. Great interchanging play by the backline and a long pass to speedster Tapiwa Marimira, got the wing over in the right-hand corner. Tinashe Hombiro converted a really difficult kick to trail 7-12.
From the restart, Zimbabwe conceded a penalty from just outside their 22. Van Rooyen stepped up and extended Leopards' lead to 15-7 after 20 minutes of play.
The Leopards continued to hold the upper hand in the game and extended their lead when Betru Jones showcased great individual brilliance. The fullback collected Zimbabwe's grubber inside his own 22 and made his way down the touchline to score the Leopards third try, 20-7.
Soon the Leopard not only had the advantage on the scoreboard but the side also had an extra man on the field when Tafedziswa Bunu received his first yellow card for a high tackle.
Zimbabwe soaked up the pressure and although Leopards dominated they failed to add any points before the break.
As the second half started Leopards extended their lead, this time it was No.8 Ruwald van der Merwe. He burst past two defenders, cut inside to dot down near the post. Van Rooyen added the extras, 29-7.
Leopards' tries started to come in quick and easy. Within five minutes, Van Der Merwe got his name on the score sheet and Van Rooyen scored his double. The flyhalf converted both kicks to take the score to 41-7 after 45 minutes of play.
Zimbabwe's day just got worse. The side was forced to play with 14 men after Bunu received his second yellow card for a high tackle, the referee had no choice but to hand the young man the red.
Leopards' forwards started to enjoy possession and soon the lock Arno Gustafson and prop Dirk-Hendrik Kotze were on the score sheet. Van Rooyen added the extras, 58-7.
Just before the hour mark, Leopards had 60 points on the board thanks to Betru Jones, while Zimbabwe finally scored two successive tries to get into double figures. Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu and Tadiwa Muchemwa made sure the side got into double figures to trail 17-60.
In the last five minutes, Zimbabwe were desperate to end the match on a high note. Their backline just ignite and a great break by Lameck Vheriwa almost resulted in the fourth try, but unfortunately, his pass failed to reach his teammate's hands.
Instead, it was the Leopards who added two additional tries. Jones made sure he got his hat-trick, while Zimasa Nokama fought his way over the chalk to conclude the Leopards victory.
The scorers:
For Zimbabwe:
Tries: Tapiwa Marimira, Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu, Tadiwa Muchemwa
Con: Tinashe Hombiro,
For Leopards:
Tries: Hanro van Rooyen 2, Lohann Jahns, Bertru Jones 3, Ruwald van der Merwe 2, Arno Gustafson, Dirk-Hendrik Kotze, Zimasa Nokama
Cons: Hanru van Rooyen 7
Pen: Hanru Van Rooyen
Red Card: Tafedziswa Bunu (Zimbabwe, 46 – second yellow and dangerous tackle)
Leopards: 15 Bertru Jones (Lichtenburg), 14 Pitso Mosia (Potchefstroom Technical High School), 13 Mitchelle van der Merwe (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), 12 Lohann Jahns (Lichtenburg), 11 Kamohelo Majola (Potchefstroom Boys High), 10 Hanru van Rooyen (Potchefstroom Volkskool), 9 Showan Maurice Drude (Lichtenburg), 8 Ruwald van der Merwe (Rustenburg), 7 Andries Fouche (Rustenburg), 6 Zimasa Nokama (Vaal Reefs), 5 George van der Westhuizen (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), 4 Ntokozo Gumedze (Potchefstroom Technical High School), 3 Arno Gustafson (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), 2 Dirk-Hendrik Kotze (Klerksdorp), 1 Simbonile Mnyazana (Vaal Reefs), 16 Gustav van Staden (Rustenburg), 17 Ruben du Plessis (Rustenburg), 18 Graivian Smith (Lichtenburg), 19 Michiel Janse van Rensburg (Vryburg), 20 Anelka Barends (Potchefstroom Gimnasium), 21 Vihan Muller (Lichtenburg), 22 Cellen Benjamin (Klerksdorp), 23 Frank-Lee Jackson (Potchefstroom Gimnasium).
Zimbabwe: 15 Leroy Kagodora, 14 Tapiwa Marimira, 13 Tadiwa Muchemwa, 12 Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu, 11 Tafedziswa Bunu, 10 Tinashe Hombiro, 9 Dillon Brain, 8 Ronald Mirimi, 7 Ryan Smith, 6 Jack Charsley, 5 Davin King, 4 Dexter Trail, 3 Brendan Mudzikitiri, 2 Tradiwanashe Mabhudhu, 1 Rivaldo Kwidini, 16 Marcus Nichole, 17 Kudakwashe Mashonga, 18 Cody Rensburg, 19 Prince Mupfurutsa, 20 Simbarashe Chingono, 21 Michael Mhute, 22 Lameck Vheriwa, 23 Lebukgang Mokuele.
Referee: Johre Botha
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys, Mpho Matsaung
Assessor: Pierre Oelofse
