By Daniel Nhakaniso
Zimbabwe international prop Cleopas Kundiona has been nominated for Northampton Saints’ DPD Player of the Month award after making an impressive start to the 2026/27 season.
Kundiona is one of four players shortlisted for the September award, alongside James Pater, Ed Prowse and Josh Taylor, following Saints’ opening fixtures of the campaign.
The tighthead prop featured against Harlequins in the Premiership Rugby Cup before helping Northampton begin their Gallagher Premiership title defence with a 59-26 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls.
Across his two appearances in September, Kundiona made eight carries and 22 tackles while helping Saints maintain a 100 percent scrum success rate.
His strong start comes after Kundiona entered his second seasson at Northampton having become increasingly settled at the club.
Speaking to Northampton Saints before the start of the campaign, the 25-year-old said he felt more comfortable in his surroundings after using his first season to adapt to a new environment.
“I feel really settled now and want to carry on that momentum,” Kundiona said.
Kundiona joined Saints from French Pro D2 side USON Nevers and said his move to Northampton had been an opportunity to develop both his set-piece work and all-round game.
“I saw Northampton as a place where I could really develop my game in terms of the set-piece as well as around the park,” he said.
“The coaches have helped me massively week on week, giving me tips and advice on how to improve.”
The Zimbabwe international also believes the experience of his first season has helped build his confidence.
“I feel like I’m at a place where I’m much more confident in my playing ability,” he said.
Kundiona has also praised the unity within the Saints squad, describing the group as a “special bunch” as they look to build on last season’s Premiership title success.
“The squad that we have here is a special bunch of people,” he said.
“The unity and the connection that we have both on and off the pitch is something I haven’t seen very regularly.”
Northampton’s title defence provides another opportunity for Kundiona to establish himself as an important part of the side, with the Zimbabwean determined to help the club reproduce last season’s success.
“Winning the PREM with the boys last year was incredibly special,” Kundiona said.
“This year, the mindset is to take the season as it comes. We know what we can do, and we want to perform at our best to replicate last season’s achievements.”
Kundiona’s nomination therefore caps a promising opening month in what he hopes will be another successful season at Franklin’s Gardens.
The Player of the Month vote remains open until Wednesday, 7 October, with supporters allowed one vote each. One supporter who votes for the eventual winner will also be selected at random to receive a Saints shirt signed by the entire 2026/27 squad.
How to vote: Supporters can vote for Kundiona through Northampton Saints’ official Player of the Month voting platform.
Vote for Kundiona: “Northampton Saints – DPD Player of the Month voting platform” here
