BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Zimbabwe ace Tino Mavesere’s man-of-the-match performance for Sharks in their 29-19 United Rugby Championship win over Bulls on Saturday has drawn high praise from the opposite camp in the form of fellow countryman Kennedy Tsimba.
Blind-side flank Mavesere made the starting line-up for the second-round clash at Loftus Versfeld alongside such Bulls stars as four Springbok World Cup-winners Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Grant Williams and Lukhanyo Am.
In a gritty contest away to the Pretoria side, Mavesere scored a try while once again showcasing his ability as a strong ball-carrier – covering 75 metres and making 17 tackles as well as recording two offloads and a single turnover.
Mavesere’s all-round display for the Durban visitors in a South African derby on Saturday, to be named the most outstanding player of the match, had Bulls’ transition and skills coach Tsimba giving credit.
“Tino was outstanding yesterday, brilliant,” Tsimba told SportsCast on Sunday morning.
“His work rate and efficiency were off the charts. His flair and skill touches were on show as the game conditions suited him.”
World Rugby Hall of Famer Tsimba, who made history by becoming Zimbabwe’s first black captain back in 1998, added that players of Mavesere’s quality and form stand the country in good stead for the 2027 World Cup qualification bid in July in Uganda.
“I had a long chat with him (Mavesere) pre-game and he is in a good space, which is important in the modern game,” remarked Tsimba.
“What was encouraging is that he has a positive mindset on the future of the Sables (Zimbabwe’s rugby team).”
26-year-old Mavesere has worked his tail off from his modest background in Zimbabwe’s small mining town of Kadoma all the way up to the URC, one of the best rugby competitions on the planet. The dynamic back-row will be one of his country’s key men in July when the Sables launch yet another quest for a place at the World Cup for the first time since 1991.
“I think their chances are very good, when you hear such encouraging feedback from the players,” Tsimba commented.
