Zimbabwe has enjoyed success in the three-team tournament, culminating in 26-21 victory away to Kenya in the tournament’s deciding game.
The International Rugby Board (IRB) said in a statement to The Zimbabwean this week the Southern African team was now ranked 34th in the 94 team table.
It is the highest position The Sables have held since the introduction of rankings eight years ago.
“That means a rise of 13 places in just seven weeks for a country who last played on the Rugby World Cup stage back in 1991,” said IRB in a statement from England.
Zimbabwe, who had already secured the Victoria Cup, also featuring Uganda, after attaining an unassailable number of points, were favourites ahead of this past weekend’s duel against their Kenyan rivals.
However, if Kenya had bounced back from the loss to Uganda and win before their home fans then they would have climb two or three places, condemning Zimbabwe to a two place fall regardless of the margin of defeat.
A Kenyan victory by more than 15 points would have also seen Kenya drop a place to 41st.
Meanwhile, the sporting fraternity welcomed Zimbabwe steady rise up the rankings.
“I congratulate The Sables team for the victory in Kenya. The new and young blood in the team is shining. I also applaud the technical team for such a good job,” said Zimbabwe Cricket’s Joseph Madyembwa.
Post published in: Rugby