The hosts led 21–0 at half-time after scoring three converted tries. However, the margin could have been greater had two close tries by Zekhethelo Siyaya (left wing) not been disallowed by the TMO.
Two of Siyaya's Junior Bok teammates, Yaqeen Ahmed (flyhalf) and Markus Müller (centre) then both crossed under the posts after sustained pressure forced the Zimbabwean defence to crack.
Ten minutes before the break, former Junior Bok scrumhalf and 2025's SA Rugby Young Men's Player of the Year Haashim Pead added a third try following another patient build-up.
South Africa dominated both possession and territory, but there were issues at the lineout, where the co-ordination between Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) and his jumpers lacked accuracy at times. The set-piece improved when they opted for shorter lineouts.
The Sables were forced to defend for long periods and, to their credit, showed resilience to prevent the South Africans from completely running riot.
There was a setback for the SA 'A' side just before half-time when Siyaya was forced off after taking an accidental knock to the head at the base of a ruck. He was assisted from the field and replaced by Jurenzo Julius.
Zimbabwe made a stronger start to the second half, aided by improvement in the scrum. However, their handling and execution let them down, leading to several missed opportunities.
Shortly after the restart, Ahmed was yellow-carded for making contact with Zimbabwean fullback Tapiwa Mafura contesting a ball in the air. The incident was upgraded to a 20-minute red card after review.
Pead was replaced at the break by Nico Steyn, and the replacement scrumhalf made an immediate impact, sniping around a ruck to score the fourth try, which was converted by the impressive Luan Giliomee to stretch the lead to 28–0.
That try was shortly followed by another, again from a replacement, as Imad Khan capitalised on soft defence around the fringes to score near the uprights. Giliomee's second conversion extended the lead to 35–0 with less than a quarter of the match remaining.
The final try was scored by another member of the successful 2025 Junior Bok side, Jaco Williams, who showed great pace in the closing minute after gathering a loose kick to round off a productive afternoon.
Scorers:
SA 'A' 40 (21) – Tries: Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller, Haashim Pead, Nico Steyn, Imad Khan, Jaco Williams. Conversions: Ahmed (3), Luan Giliomee (2).
Zimbabwe 0
The start of the new Springbok season is just around the corner and Rassie Erasmus has named his first Springbok team of the year to face the Barbarians in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Players running out for the South Africa 'A' against Zimbabwe will forever be tied to the Republic unless they have parents or grandparents born in another nation.
Excitement is building in Gqeberha as the countdown hits 60 days before the Springboks launch their 2026 campaign against a star-studded Barbarians side coached by former All Blacks boss Scott Robertson.
The SANZAAR Rugby Championship U20 will return to Gqeberha next month, with South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina set to compete at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium from 27 April to 9 May.
