Sables go for consistency in selection, Porter only newcomer in starting XV for SA ‘A’
- enockmuchinjo
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
By SportsCast Writer
HARARE – Zimbabwe have gone for consistency in their team section for the clash against South Africa ‘A’ on Saturday in Gqeberha with Stormers lock Gary Porter the only new face in the starting line-up.
Debutant Porter will partner the experienced international Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa in the Sables’ engine room while there have been some adjustments in the forward pack.
Simba Siraha, who earned all his previous Sables caps at lock, has been selected at blind-side flank.
Dylan Utete slots in at open-side flank while Sharks’ Tino Mavesere moves to number 8 to complete the back-row, which means vice-captain Aiden Burnett starts on the bench again.
Meanwhile, two new forwards in the side, prop Tjde Visser and lock Dan Cooke, are among the substitutes. The other newcomer to the set-up, lock Dale Lemon, isn’t in the match-day 23.
In the backline, Bruce Houston has been handed the responsibility at flyhalf in the absence of the Sables’ star 10 Ian Prior.
Otherwise, the rest of the backline pretty much picked itself.
With Zimbabwe going for a 6-2 split on the bench, it means there is no place in the side for the promising versatile back Tatenda Kamubvumbi.
The game against SA ‘A’ is an opener for the unofficial Test between the Springboks and the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
SABLES FOR SA ‘A’
Starting: 15. Tapiwa Mafura, 14. Trevor Gurwe, 13. Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 12. Kudzai Mashawi, 11. Ed Sigauke, 10. Bruce Houston, 9. Hilton Mudariki (captain), 8. Tino Mavesere, 7. Dylan Utete, 6. Simba Siraha, 5. Gary Porter, 4. Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa, 3. Bornwell Gwinji, 2. Simba Mandioma, 1. Victor Mupunga.
Subs: 16. Liam Larkan, 17. Tjde Visser, 18. Michael Kmbirai, 19. Dan Cooke, 20. Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 21. Aiden Burnett, 22. Keegan Joubert, 23. Dion Khumalo.
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