 next season following his move to the Johannesburg franchise Lions.){kind=link}
Zimbabwe rugby international Tapiwa Mafura is set to feature in the United Rugby Championship (URC) next season following his move to the Johannesburg franchise Lions.
Mafura, who has represented Zimbabwe in both the fifteens and sevens formats of the game, is highly rated in South African rugby circles and the move to the Lions is another notable milestone in his career.
Prior to his move to the Lions, Mafura won the Currie Cup with the Pumas and Cheetahs over the last two seasons.
Last season Mafura produced one of his best performances of the seasons against the Lions as he dotted down a memorable hat-trick as the Toyota Cheetahs took down the Johannesburg-based outfit 52-12 in the Currie Cup.
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Mafura, who can play both at fullback and down the wing is expected to bring some much-needed versatility to the Lions backline as they seek glory both at home and abroad.
The 28-year-old is one of five new signings unveiled by the Lions , as the Johannesburg outfit bolsters their squad for the 2024-25 season.
Former Bath loosehead prop Juan Schoeman, previously with the Sharks, adds experience to the front row.
Lock Sibabalo Qoma arrives from the Cheetahs too, while the burly WJ Steenkamp comes from the Vodacom Bulls, enhancing the Lions’ loose forward depth.
Lastly, hooker Franco Marais, who played for the Sharks and Worcester Warriors, returns to South African rugby from Japanese club Red Hurricanes.
The Lions kick off their Currie Cup campaign against the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban on Friday evening.
The match could see Mafura line up against his Zimbabwean compatriot Tino Mavesere, who is on the books of the Sharks.