Online Reporter
Brandon Moyo
SABLES’ Africa Cup-winning prop, Cleopas Kundishora has made a big move in his rugby career as he will join English Champions, Northampton Saints, at the end of the season.
The 26-year old Zimbabwean ace is presently in the books of French Pro D2 side, USON Nevers, where he has spent the last three years.
He joined the club from SO Chambéry, who are in the third tier.
Kundishora’s move was confirmed by the USON Nevers president Régis Dumange in an interview with French publication Midi Olympique.
The Sables star is one of the 11 players set to leave the FRench club.
“Eleven departures are planned. But Charlie Francoz (ex-Biarritz) is here, Alexandre Coulibaly (Racing 92) has just arrived, and we have just signed George Smith.
“He came from Northampton, who lent him to Bedford, in the Second English Division.
“Cleopas Kundishora will leave at the end of the season for Northampton. I’m looking for two or three players, including a big number three.”
Kundishora’s move to Northampton Saints comes after English second rower George Smith completed a move in the opposite direction.
USON Nevers is also home to Zimbabwe internationals Farai Mudariki and Jason Fraser.
The move to Northampton Saints will see Kundiona following in the footsteps of one of his childhood idols, the Zimbabwe-born former Springboks prop Brian Mujati.
Mujati had 12 caps for South Africa and racked up a century of games at Franklin’s Gardens.
Kundishora is a key member of the Sables, who are aiming to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The Sables, who won the 2024 Africa Cup will return to action in July for the final qualification tournament where only one ticket to the global showpiece will be up for grabs.
Zimbabwe are hoping to make their first World Cup appearance since 1991.
Mathew Masinge