Major reshuffle for Sables as senior players drop out of squad for Uruguay clash
HARARE – Three senior players have been sensationally dropped from Zimbabwe’s line-up for Saturday’s World Rugby Nations Cup clash with Uruguay in London, as coach Piet Benade opts for new combinations in pursuit of an elusive win in the second-tier global competition.
Seasoned scrumhalf Hilton Mudariki, the double Africa Cup-winning Sables captain, has been excluded from the match-day 23 entirely with 20-year-old Tyrone Gombe taking his place.
It is a first Test start for Western Province Under-20 ace Gombe, who impressed after replacing Mudariki in last weekend’s 43-7 defeat to Manu Samoa in Wakefield.
Flanker Tino Mavesere has been named stand-in captain.
Stalwart flyhalf Ian Prior drops to the bench as the Sables begin Saturday’s Test against the South Americans with a new halfback pairing.
Jason Robertson, who was outstanding on his Zimbabwe debut at fullback against Samoa, switches to the number 10 position while Tapiwa Mafura moves back to his familiar fullback role from wing.
Matt McNab returns to the Sables starting line-up on the right wing.
Another Sables kingpin of the past three years, centre Kudzai Mashawi, wont take any part in the game.
In Mashawi’s place at number 12 comes in 23-year-old Dion Khumalo to partner the ever-reliable Brandon Mudzekenyedzi in midfield.
Meanwhile, tight-head prop Cleopas Kundiona has been ruled out of the rest of the tour due to injury sustained in the Samoa clash. In his place, Bornwell Gwinji, who gave a good account of himself after coming on for Kundiona last week, makes the starting line-up.
SABLES SQUAD
Starting: 15. Tapiwa Mafura 14. Matt McNab 13. Brandon Mudzekenyedzi 12. Dion Khumalo 11. Eddie Sigauke 10. Jason Robertson 9. Tyrone Gombe 8. Aiden Burnett 7. Godfrey Muzanargwo 6. Tino Mavesere (captain) 5. Gary Porter 4. Dale Lemon 3. Bornwell Gwinji 2. Liam Larkan 1. Victor Mupunga.
Subs: 16. Bryan Chiang 17. Tjide Visser 18. Farai Mudariki 19. Daniel Cooke 20. Tadiwanashe Gwashu 21. Vuyani Dhlomo 22. Ian Prior 23. Bruce Houston.
Credit: SportsCast
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