Zimbabwe have won Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2012 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy, beating rivals Namibia 29-17 in the final at the Prince Edward School in Harare.

The tournament featured eight teams - Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tunisia, Uganda, Kenya, Zambia, Morocco, Madagascar -  playing across two groups of four with Zimbabwe guaranteed a place in the IRB JWRT 2012 as winner of Group A.

Inspired by the current form of the country's senior side, the young Sables got off to a winning start against Uganda and Tunisia and Namibia also edged both nations to set up a winner-takes-all play-off.

The final victory was inspired by Zimbabwe’s lethal backline, which contrasted with Namibia's stronger pack and managed to hold sway in an entertaining match.

The hosts scored three tries through captain Sean Linfield and Justin Coles (2), while centre Preston Bryant was their outstanding player and was named man of the match.

Mali win 2011 CAR Division 2 North

Mali overcame Niger 13-3 to win the 2011 CAR Division 2 North, having recorded earlier 32-3 and 28-3 victories against Chad and Ghana in the quarter and semi finals.

Niger, who beat Mali A 28-3 and Burkina Faso 12-5 to progress to the final, found their third match in seven days one step too far.

It was one of nine matches this week to have no impact on the IRB World Rankings which remain unaffected.

Burkina Faso defeated Ghana 15-3 to finish third, whilst Mali A finished fifth after edging Benin 3-0 and Chad beat Togo 13-0 to finish seventh in the same competition.