Online Reporter
Tafadzwa Tichawangana
Deputy Sports Editor
Australia-based fly-half Ian Prior will play his first Sables match in almost a year after he was named in Pieter Benade’s starting XV to play Tonga in their World Rugby Nations Cup in Denver, USA, on Sunday morning.
Prior last featured for the Sables in their historic Rugby Africa Cup final win over Namibia on 19 July 2025.
In that match, held in Kampala, Uganda, Prior scored 15 points (three conversions and three penalties) to help Zimbabwe secure a 30–28 victory and qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Since then, he has missed the Sables’ back-to-back test wins over Zambia and, most recently, their loss to South Africa ‘A’ last month.
Since retiring from professional rugby in 2025, Prior has been juggling a full-time job with playing rugby for Associates Rugby Club in Perth. This has limited his availability outside of international windows.
“It’s good to be back in the squad, back in a full-time environment,” Prior told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“I haven’t seen most of these guys since the Rugby Africa Cup last year when we qualified. It’s super special to be back in the group. I am looking forward to us testing ourselves against three quality teams, that is Tonga, USA, and Canada.
“We haven’t played many teams outside Africa besides South Korea and UAE, so this will be a really good test for us. ”
Prior is among four changes to the starting XV that lost to South Africa ‘A’. Forwards Jason Fraser, Michael Kumbirai, and Godfrey Muzanargwo are the other three.
Hilton Mudariki captains the side.
“The Nations Cup is part of our long-term preparations for the World Cup, so it’s good to have all our best players available,” Mudariki told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“We have a lot of things to work on. We have a new lineout coach and a new defense coach, so we are trying to get settled in the way we play. Any sportsman goes out there wanting to get a result, so winning is important, but at the same time, it’s about developing and ticking the right boxes.”
The Sables play Tonga at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, Denver, on Sunday 5 July at 0015hrs Zimbabwe time.
Sables Starting XV vs. Tonga
1.Victor Mupunga, 2. Matthew Mandioma, 3. Michael Kumbirai, 4.Gary Porter, 5. Godfrey Muzanargwo, 6. Tinotenda Mavesere, 7. Dylan Utete, 8. Jason Fraser, 9. Hilton Mudariki (Captain), 10. Ian Prior, 11. Edward Sigauke, 12. Kudzai Mashawi, 13.Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 14. Trevor Gurwe, 15. Tapiwa Mafura
Impact Players
16. Bryan Chiang, 17. Tijde Visser, 18. Cleopas Kundiona, 19. Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 20. Simbarashe Siraha,
17. Tyrone Gombe, 22. Bruce Houston
18. Dion Khumalo
Charles Duri