Sables inject fresh blood for Zambia showdown at Hartsfield

ZIMBABWE senior men’s national rugby team head coach, Pieter Benade, has named three uncapped players in the Sables’ 23 for today’s Battle of the Zambezi encounter against neighbours Zambia at Hartsfield Rugby Grounds in Bulawayo.

The trio, Obinna Nweke, Stanley Murangwana and Charles Gamihwa add to the eight debutants introduced last week at Harare Sports Club.

All three are set to start from the bench.

In the starting XV, 20-year-old front-rower Emmanuel Gabi has been handed his first Test start, while Polite Phiri, also 20, retains his place at flank. Another youthful inclusion in the starting line-up is 19-year-old Tyrone Gombe.

Twenty-year-old Tatenda Kamubvumbi also starts on the wing, with Godfrey Magaramombe and Giodano Sarpo adding to the youthful flair in the side.

Captain Hilton Mudariki shifts to the bench, with Kudzai Mashawi set to lead the team, while Kudakwashe “Goofy” Nyakufaringwa will serve as vice-captain.

The Sables head into today’s match on the back of an impressive Test run, having won all 14 matches they have played, a streak dating back to May 2024.

Their last defeat came in July 2022, and they have been building momentum ever since, winning back-to-back Rugby Africa Cup titles and qualifying for next year’s Rugby World Cup.

Yesterday evening, the team were presented with their kits by legend and former captain Victor Olonga at a ceremony also attended by Bulawayo rugby stalwarts, including Ruben Kumpasa, Gilbert Nyamutsamba and Silethokuhle “Slater” Ndlovu, among others. Bulawayo Metropolitan Rugby Football Board (BMRFB) chairperson Carrington Busili was also in attendance.

The match kicks off at 3:30pm. Last week, the Sables beat Zambia 43–31 in the first instalment of the Battle of the Zambezi and would be hoping to complete a double this afternoon.

Sables’ XV to face Zambia:
Zvikomborero Chimoto, Liam Larkan, Emmanuel Gabi, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa (vc), Vuyani Dhlomo, Polite Phiri, Aiden Burnett, Tyrone Gombe, David Hayes, Tinotenda Kamubvumbi, Kudzai Mashawi (c), Darrell Makwasha, Godfrey Magaramombe, Tapiwa Mafura.

Impact Players:
Giordano Sarpo, Stanley Muranganwa, Charles Gamihwa, Obinna Nweke, Tonderai Chiwambutsa, Brian Nyaude, Hilton Mudariki, Keegan Joubert.