Defending champions Kenya kicked off their Rugby Africa Under-20 Barthés Trophy campaign with a disciplined 29-21 victory over a resilient Tunisia side over the weekend in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Kenya was made to sweat by a young Tunisian side that has come to the tournament in Harare with the target of rebuilding after last year’s disappointing tournament outing in the same Zimbabwean capital city.

But the East Africans have clearly come to Harare with one thing in mind: to defend their title and make it two years in a row. Simon Jawichre’s men were clinical and dominated in the narrow win.

In the second match of the round-robin tournament at the Old Hararians Sports Club, Namibia took revenge for their defeat to Zimbabwe last year, overcoming the hosts 41-22 in a high scoring encounter.

The Junior Sables played second fiddle in all departments, losing the physical battle upfront to Namibia’s heavier forwards pack, as well as failing to contain the opponents’ potency in the backs.

Namibia will look to build on that momentum when they face Kenya in their second outing on Match Day 2, scheduled for Wednesday.

Hosts Zimbabwe will take on Tunisia in the day’s second fixture at 15:00.