By Daniel Nhakaniso
Zimbabwe Sables head coach Pieter Benade has made several changes to his starting XV for Sunday’s crucial World Rugby Nations Cup clash against hosts the United States as the African champions look to bounce back from their opening-round defeat to Tonga.
Following last weekend’s spirited 36-26 loss, Benade has recalled several experienced campaigners while also handing a potential debut to French-based prop Tijde Visser.
There will also be a new leader at the helm, with influential loose forward Tinotenda “Tino” Mavesere set to captain the Sables for the first time.
The experienced back-rower takes over the captaincy from regular skipper Hilton Mudariki, who is being rested after leading Zimbabwe in the opening-round defeat to Tonga.
Mavesere, one of the standout performers in last year’s successful Rugby Africa Cup campaign that secured Zimbabwe’s place at the 2027 Rugby World Cup, will now have the honour of leading his country for the first time in an official Test.
The biggest change in the front row sees Gallagher Premiership champion Cleopas Kundiona restored to the starting line-up after featuring off the bench against Tonga.
The Northampton Saints tighthead prop will earn his 17th Zimbabwe cap and replaces Michael Kumbirai, who shifts to the replacements bench.
Kundiona will pack down alongside hooker Liam Larkan, who comes in for Matthew Mandioma, while Victor Mupunga retains his place at loosehead.
There are also returns for vice-captain Aiden Burnett, winger Matt McNab and scrumhalf Keegan Joubert, all of whom were omitted from the matchday squad for the opening fixture against Tonga.
In the backline, Kudzai Mashawi drops out of the matchday squad, prompting Brandon Mudzekenyedzi to move into the inside centre position, while exciting youngster Dion Khumalo starts at outside centre.
One of the biggest talking points is the inclusion of Takudzwa Musingwini among the replacements after initially being named as a non-travelling reserve when Zimbabwe announced its Nations Cup squad.
French-based loosehead prop Tijde Visser, who has spent the last five seasons with Nationale club Rugby Club Massy Essonne, is also in line for his first Sables cap after being named on the bench.
The Sables face a must-win encounter after opening their campaign with a defeat to Tonga despite producing an encouraging second-half display. Victory over the USA would revive Zimbabwe’s hopes of a strong finish in the inaugural tournament while providing valuable preparation ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
Zimbabwe team to face USA
Starting XV: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Matt McNab, 13 Dion Khumalo, 12 Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, 11 Edward Sigauke, 10 Ian Prior, 9 Keegan Joubert, 8 Aiden Burnett, 7 Jason Fraser, 6 Tinotenda Mavesere (captain), 5 Godfrey Muzanargwo, 4 Gary Porter, 3 Cleopas Kundiona, 2 Liam Larkan, 1 Victor Mupunga.
Replacements:
16 Matthew Mandioma, 17 Tijde Visser, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Tadiwanashe Gwashu, 20 Simbarashe Siraha, 21 Hilton Mudariki, 22 Bruce Houston, 23 Takudzwa Musingwini.