IRB inducted Tsimba and his late brother, Richard, into the Hall of Fame in recognition of their contribution to the sport.
“The accolade will hopefully mark an era in history that proves that you can come from nowhere, reach your goal and beyond,” said an emotional Tsimba following the event, recently held in Johannesburg.
“I hope this will open the doors for more black rugby players, and give them hope that they too can achieve great things. I am both humbled and honoured to receive this accolade for Richard and I. This induction gives me a feeling of accomplishment and acknowledgement of all the hard years of strife and work to get where I am now.”
Tsimba is currently living in South Africa where he founded the local branch of a non-governmental organisation called ‘Rugby Without Borders.’
IRB Vice Chairman, Oregan Hoskins, who presided over the induction, described the brothers as two of the finest players of their era.
“The Tsimba brothers have left an indelible mark on Rugby in Southern Africa. They are pioneers of the Game and will be remembered by generations to come. It is fitting that they will be captured in Rugby’s most famous place for memory, the IRB Hall of Fame.”
Richard, who died in a car accident in 2000 aged 34, was the first black player to represent Zimbabwe in international rugby. Nicknamed ‘The Black Diamond’, he played 23 times for his country and starred at the 1987 and 1991 World Cups.
Post published in: Rugby