BY BRIAN MATAMBA
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s empathic 32-10 win over Namibia on Wednesday in the Africa Cup semi-finals, a first victory for the Sables over their greatest rival in over two decades, produced quite a number of heroes across the pitch in a dominant performance in Kampala by the men in green-and-white.
Here is my take on the starting XV, on scale of 1 to 10:
Victor Mupunga (loose-head prop, 7)
He was solid at scrum time and managed to win a few penalties for the Sables.
Simba Mandioma (hooker, 5)
Mandioma’s throwing skills were at times not on point, scrappy, to the extent that on several occasions he failed to find his jumpers. He was however lively in broken play and pounced on all loose balls.
Cleopas Kundiona (tight-head prop, 7)
Kundiona had a great game. The ever reliable and steely France-based front-rower managed to match the Namibians’ physicality, especially at scrum time and breakdown.
Kudakwashe Nyakufaringwa (lock, 6)
The big man they call Goofy was a colossus for the Sables, a towering presence in the team’s second row. Nyakufaringwa stabilised the scrum and barely dropped any ball from the lineout.
Simba Siraha (lock, 6)
Siraha, still learning his trade at the highest level, performed beyond expectations, with some solid tackles. He cleaned out well at the breakdown to ensure the backs always had clean ball.
Tino Mavesere (open-side flank, 6)
The Sharks back row keeps growing with each game for the Sables. He was industrious out on the park and put in some big hits in defence. Mavesere was a menace at the breakdown, inflicting a couple of turnovers but was also penalised a few times for going in too early before releasing. In general, he had a good outing.
Dylan Utete (blind-side flank, 5)
Debutant Utete was unfortunate not to last the full 80 minutes as he was withdrawn due to injury. When he was on the field, he had some brilliant carries and was hungry for more.
Aiden Burnett (eighth-man, 7)
The Sables vice-captain was solid at the base of the scrum, giving the team front-foot ball. His ball-carrying abilities were a marvel to watch, as he was a constant threat to the Namibian defence.
Hilton Mudariki (scrumhalf, 8)
The skipper, like fine wine, keeps getting better with age. The experienced Zimbabwe number 9 put in another captain’s performance, leading from the front. He was good at recycling the ball at the base of the ruck. Mudariki executed the box kick well, relieving pressure off the team. His halfback combination with Ian Prior seems to have clicked instantly.
Ian Prior (flyhalf, 8)
The former Western Force and Australia Under-20 star marshalled the backline well with his pinpoint passing, proving to be the answer the Sables were looking for over the years. His vision was immense, assisting the first try of the match when he executed a brilliant cross-kick, which was easily gathered by the young wing Edward Sigauke. The only blemish on Prior’s performance was with the kicking tee, missing two penalties and a conversion.
Kudzai Mashawi (inside-centre, 7)
Mashawi’s comeback from international retirement is proving to be a worthy move. As he was in the quarter-final against Uganda, he was lively all afternoon against Namibia with some strong carries. In defence, he was watertight and put in some big hits at crucial stages of the match to shut out the Namibians.
Brandon Mudzekenyedzi (outside-centre, 9)
Brace scorer Mudzekenyedzi was alert the whole match, ran some superb lines, and his support play was amazing. In defence, his pairing with the veteran Mashawi at centre worked like a well-oiled machine, with great line speed always putting pressure on their opponents. He was however starved of possession in this match and was mostly called into action in defence.
Edward Sigauke (right wing, 6)
The Zimbabwe Under-20 speedster, earning only his second senior Sables cap, had another brilliant game. He scored a try to follow up on the one against Uganda on debut four days earlier. Sigauke functioned well with fellow backs and in defence, putting in tackles when needed.
Takudzwa Musingwini (left wing, 7)
Tapiwa Mafura (number 15) and Takudzwa Musingwini tackle a Namibia player. PIC: Africa Rugby
Former Zimbabwe Under-20 captain Musingwini’s kicking game was immaculate, gaining vital territory for Zimbabwe. With ball in hand, he gained yards whenever he put on the afterburners. He was solid in defence.
Tapiwa Mafura (fullback, 10)
Man-of-the-match. Simply the most outstanding player on the park. The Lions livewire was a joy to watch whenever he had ball in hand, his dazzling runs constantly unlocking the defence of Namibia. He barely put a foot wrong and was solid in defence, putting in a try-saving tackle in the first half. His kicking game was on the money, clearing his lines well and gaining vital territory. Mafura managed to trouble the scorers by crossing the whitewash for a five-pointer and also assisting Mudzekenyedzi’s try. What a find for Zimbabwean rugby!
*Brian Matamba is a Zimbabwean sports journalist with a keen interest in rugby. He writes this piece for SportsCast.
