Super Rugby Western Force halfback Ian Prior aged 33 is set to debut for the Zimbabwe Sables ahead of the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup against Uganda at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Uganda.
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Prior has also featured for the Force, the Reds and Brumbies teams in Australia and has also played for English club Harlequins.
Prior before Zimbabwe’s Debut
The back also featured for the Australia Under 20 Championship in 2010, played in Argentina. Another debutant in the named squad is the right-side winger Edward Sigauke who co-captained the Junior Sables in the 2024 Barthes competition and also featured in the Zimbabwe Cheetahs.
Prior starts as a flyhalf and will partner with Captain Hilton Mudariki as the half-backs. Mudariki will link play from the forward side which will see Victor Mupunga, Simba Mandioma and Cleopas Kundiona in the front row.
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The Second row will feature Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa and Simba Siraha with Tino Mavesere and Brian Nyaude playing as flankers. Aiden Burnett, the vice-captain will close the forward’s list as the eighth-man.
In the back three, Sigauke will be joined by Tapiwa Mafura as the full-back and Takudzwa Musingwini as the blind-side winger. The midfield will see Kudzai Mashawi and Brandon Mudzekenyedzi featuring as inside and outside centres respectively.
The winner of this match will face the winner of the match pitty Namibia and Burkina Faso.
Zimbabwe Sables Match Day Squad
STARTING XV 1.Victor Mupunga 2.Simba Mandioma 3 Cleopas Kundiona 4 Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa 5 Simba Siraha 6 Tino Mavesere 7 Brian Nyaude 8. Aiden Burnett 9. Hilton Mudariki 10. Ian Prior* 11.Takudzwa Musingwini 12. Kudzai Mashawi 13 Brandon Mudzekenyedzi 14 Edward Sigauke* 15.Tapiwa Mufura
Liam Larkan, Zvikomborero Chimoto, Bornwell Gwinji, David Makamba, Dylan Utete*, Tadiwa Gwashu, Keegan Joubert, Dion Khumalo.
Head Coach: Piet Benade, Assistant Coach: Ricky Chirengende, Consultant: Gert Smal, Defense Coach: Senna Esterhuizen, Forwards & Scrum Coach: Joel Carew, Athlete Welfare Manager: Tich Makwanya, Lineout Coach: Fortune Chipendu, Assistant Forwards Coach: Kevin Nqindi, Team Manager: TJ Chifokoyo, Physio: Amanda Zisengwe
*denotes Debut
