BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe rugby ace Tapiwa Mafura is thrilled at the prospect of teaming up with former Australia centre Kyle Godwin, who is now set to feature for his country of birth after successfully switching international allegiance from the two-time world champions.
Harare-born Godwin – who earned just one cap for the Wallabies against France in 2016 – arrived in the Zimbabwean capital this week ahead of the Sables’ end-of-year tour of the United Arab Emirates and South Korea in November.
The 32-year-old veteran of Super Rugby will boost the Sables’ 2027 World Cup hopes, as the Zimbabweans intensify efforts to return to the sport’s greatest showpiece for the first time since 1991.
“I’m very excited and happy to see Kyle joining the team,” Mafura told SportsCast on Thursday.
“He is a great player that I grew up watching a lot. I think him joining the team will definitely add a lot of value and experience in the squad.”
In retracing his Zimbabwean roots, Godwin joins another Australia-raised backline talent, Ian Prior, who represented that country at youth level before making the Sables switch this year.
Prior’s quality was on full display at flyhalf when Zimbabwe won the Africa Cup in Uganda in July.
Talismanic fullback Mafura is looking forward to weave his magic in the Sables backline alongside the two new maestros.
“Having him and Ian in the backline is exactly what the Sables need to qualify for the World Cup, so I’m truly excited to play alongside those guys,” said Lions livewire Mafura.
Two-time Currie Cup winner Mafura added that Godwin will bring both steel and flair to Zimbabwe’s midfield.
“I think the main strengths are his physicality and a good set of skills in terms of distribution and decision-making,” said Mafura.
“He knows how to carry the ball into contact very well. I believe he will bring good leadership to the Sables group and a lot of wisdom that the other guys can learn from, especially the juniors.”
