BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe head coach Piet Benade has amongst other calls explained the decision to start Tino Mavesere at eighthman ahead of the benched Aiden Burnett for Tuesday’s clash with the United Arab Emirates in Dubai.
Co-vice-captain Burnett was outstanding for Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup in Uganda in July, starting all three matches at number 8 and emerging man-of-the-match in the final against Algeria as the Sables romped home to the title in style.
Mavesere, who regularly plays at flank for Zimbabwe’s national side and for Sharks in South Africa, has been moved slightly across the back-row for Tuesday’s tie, to the rear of the scrum.
“Mavesere gets a chance to grow and develop his game in a different role at 8,” Benade told SportsCast on Monday from Dubai.
“And then having the leadership of Burnett on the field, later, will hopefully help us close games strongly.”
Benade explained the other loose-trio combinations, particularly singling out the physical presence of Dylan Utete at blind-side flank.
“Utete brings a physicality we might need in this game against big, strong opposition.”
Upfront, props Jovan Bekker and Munashe Mhere will make their international debuts for Zimbabwe, crouching shoulder-to-shoulder with the experienced hooker Simba Mandioma.
“Bekker and Mhere get an opportunity to start in the absence of (Cleopas) Kundiona and (Victor) Mupunga while (Tyran) Fagan returns to the Sables for the first time in two years.”
Versatile forward Nyasha Tarusenga also returns to the Sables fold, chiefly as an option at lock.
“Nyasha will add experience and quality in the second row.”
Meanwhile, the Sables have gone for a 6-2 bench split for the UAE test, with Kyle Godwin and Keegan Joubert the only backs amongst the substitutes.
“Kyle can cover a few positions at a very high level so we are comfortable carrying a few extra forwards on the bench.”
Godwin, capped once by Australia in 2016, will make his debut for Zimbabwe off the bench after successfully switching international allegiance to his country of birth.
The Sables’ end-of-year-tour will close with a historic maiden Test against South Korea on 16 November in Seoul.
ZIMBABWE SQUAD
Starting: 15. Tadius Hwata 14. Trevor Gurwe 13. Brandon Mudzekenyedzi 12. Kudzai Mashawi (vice-captain) 11. Edward Sigauke 10. Ian Prior 9. Hilton Mudariki (captain) 8. Tino Mavesere 7. Godfrey Muzanargwo 6. Dylan Utete 5. Simba Siraha 4. David Makamba 3. Munashe Mhere* 2. Simba Mandioma 1. Jovan Bekker*.
Replacements: 16. Bryan Chiang* 17. Tyran Fagan 18. Bornwell Gwinji 19. Nyasha Tarusenga 20. Aiden Burnett 21. Kelvin Kanenungo 22. Keegan Joubert 23. Kyle Godwin*
*Denotes debut.
