THE Piet Benade era begins in earnest this afternoon (Saturday) when the Zimbabwe Senior national rugby Fifteens side takes on the hosts Uganda in their first match, a quarter final encounter of Rugby Africa Cup 2024 edition in Kampala.
Benade picked up the pieces from Brendan Dawson in the aftermath of the 2023 disastrous World Cup Qualifiers and now faces his biggest test since taking over.
Uganda with a largely settled side with 11 players who took part in the Africa Cup three years ago, start the match as favourites.
The hosts will be banking on the experience of their evergreen French-based utility back, Philip Wokorach. The experience of Ivan Magomu and Timothy Kisiga will also come in handy.
The Sables have however matched the physicality of their opponents by naming a strong front row of Cleopas Kundiona, Matthew Mandioma and Victor Mupunga.
Hooker, Mandioma will be key for the Sables and if he finds his jumper during the line-outs, Uganda will have a busy afternoon.
Former Sables second rower, Fortune Chipendu who is the lineout coach has worked hard with his players and if Mandioma is having an off-day, the Sables have good cover in Liam Larkan who will be starting on the bench.
The game will also be won or lost at the breakdown, Zimbabwe’s loose trio of Tino Mavesere, Brian Nyaude and Aiden Burnett will seek to dominate in that area and also protect the Sables ball at the rucks.
The Sables have secured the services of Western Force scrum-half Ian Prior who will make his debut at number 10, bringing the stability and control that Zimbabwe has been craving for years.
In midfield, the pair of inside centre, Kudzai Mashawi and outside centre, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi will keep the Ugandans busy all afternoon.
Mashawi has matured and is playing his best rugby. With his direct running, Mashawi is going to be a handful.
Mudzekenyedzi always creates something out of nothing and makes some hard tackles, making a key player in both attack and defence.
Tapiwa Mafura fresh from his try-scoring exploits with his Johannesburg based franchise the Lions in the Currie Cup, will slot in at fullback.
The eight-team tournament is part of the Rugby Africa pathway towards the qualification for the 2027 World Cup with the bottom team after the tournament being relegated and one team from the lower division being promoted.
The top eight teams will next year contest for the sole ticket to represent Africa and the winner will get a two-year support by World Rugby in preparation for the 2027 World Cup.
The winner between Zimbabwe and Uganda, will play the winner of the Namibia versus Burkina Faso while losers will battle it out in the placement semifinals on Wednesday.
