Mafura departs Lions after asking to leave, star fullback to join Sables camp

BY ENOCK MUCHINJO

HARARE – Zimbabwe international Tapiwa Mafura has been released by Lions in South Africa and will head home to join the national team’s early preparations for next year’s World Cup in Australia.

A reliable source in Harare told SportsCast on Wednesday that the Sables star fullback has left the Johannesburg franchise at his own request after failing to get game-time for a prolonged period.

Mafura was believed to be on his way to Europe or switching teams in South Africa after Lions bade him farewell in a post on Tuesday, but there haven’t been any immediate offers for the gifted 30-year-old back.

“He asked to be released because he wasn’t playing,” said the source.

“He hasn’t found a new team yet, but he just felt that, as a professional, he couldn’t hang around any longer when he wasn’t being used. So, for now, he will be unattached.”

Mafura’s Lions departure will meanwhile boost the start of Zimbabwe’s preparations for their first Rugby World Cup appearance since 1991.

The Sables will start by hosting Zambia for a two-match series in Harare on 25 April and Bulawayo on 2 May.

It is however in June and July that the Sables will desperately need their strongest possible squad for tougher assignments as they move up-tempo ahead of Australia 2027.

The Zimbabweans will take on a South Africa ‘A’ side on 20 June in a much-anticipated curtain-raiser for the Springboks’ clash with the Barbarians in Gqeberha.

Piet Benade’s men will then begin their World Rugby Nations Cup campaign in the United States in July.

The newly-established Nations Cup is a second-tier international competition below the Nations Championship.