Chronicle Editor
Brandon Moyo, Sports Reporter
SABLES’ new fly-half Ian Prior, loose forward Tinotenda Blythe Mavesere and prop Cleopas Kundiona will miss the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup final encounter against Algeria in Kampala, Uganda today afternoon.
Prior has returned to Western Force duty with Mavesere also returning to South Africa to join with his side, Sharks. Kundiona has also gone back to France where he is playing for French second tier club Uson Nevers.
In form Tapiwa Mufura has been moved to number 10 in place of Prior while Bornwell Gwinji has been given a starting berth as Kundiona’s replacement.
Veteran prop, Brian Makamure has been named into the match day 23 squad and will be coming on from the bench. Darrell Makwasha will also be coming in from the bench. Godfrey Muzanargwo, who also plays in the back row, has been added to the squad.
The rest of the team that played in the quarter and semi-finals remains unchanged.
Piet Benade went for a 5-3 split on the bench.
Zimbabwe booked their spot in the final after successive wins against Uganda and Namibia in the quarter and semi-finals, respectively.
On Wednesday, the Sables beat Namibia 32-10, their first victory over the Welwitschias in 23 years.
The last time the Sables beat Namibia was in 2001 where they registered a hard fought 27-26 victory. It was in Bulawayo in July of that year that they had last recorded victory over the neighbours.
Zimbabwe went to the half time break with a convincing 14-3 lead before coming back to score 18 more points in the second stanza while the Welwitschias only scored seven. They scored four tries with three of them coming in the second half.
What made the victory even more special was the fact that Namibia were the defending champions and the rivalry between the two teams dates back to 1999 when Namibia took over from Zimbabwe as Africa’s representative at the World Cup (from the African qualifiers, joining South Africa who got automatic entry).
The Sables had been the first African team at the first World Cup tournaments in 1987 and 1991 before Namibia overtook them.
The 2024 Africa Cup serves as the first stage towards qualification for Australia 2027. The final qualification tournament is pencilled in for next year where only one of this year’s semi-finalists will be able to book their ticket to the global showpiece.
The Sables’ opponents in today’s final, Algeria beat Kenya 20-12 in their semi-final encounter.
Today’s game is pencilled in to start at 3pm and is available on live stream on the Rugby Africa Facebook and YouTube pages.
Zimbabwe Team for Africa Cup final
Starting XV
Victor Mupunga, Simba Mandioma, Bornwell Gwinji, Kudadakwashe Nyakufaringwa, Simba Siraha, Godfrey Muzanargwo, Dylan Utete, Aiden Burnett (VC), Hilton Mudariki (C), Tapiwa Mafura, Trevor Gurwe, Kudzai Mashawi, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Edward Sigauke, Takudzwa Musingwini.
Reserves: Liam Larkan, Zvikomborero Chimoto, Brian Makamure, David Makamba, Tadiwa Gwashu, Darell Makwasha, Keegan Joubert, Dion Khumalo. – @brandon_malvin.
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