5 key Sables players ruled out of South Korea clash

Zimbabwe's senior men's rugby team, the Sables, will be missing five key players in their upcoming game against South Korea this Saturday at the South East Rugby Stadium, as they wrap up their Middle East and Asia tour. This tour has already seen success with a commanding 62-22 victory over the United Arab Emirates last week, marking the Sables' first win outside African soil in many years and a continuation of their strong performance after lifting the 2024 Rugby Africa Cup in Uganda in August.

In Saturday's match, Zimbabwe will be without several critical players due to injuries: Godfrey Muzanagwo, veteran hooker Simbarashe Mandioma, Tadius Hwata, Brian Makamure, and Tafadzwa Nyakufaringwa. Despite the challenges posed by these absences, Sables head coach Piet Benade remains confident that the team will perform well, emphasizing the opportunity for other players to step up.

"Injuries are an unfortunate part of our sport, and players will be missed, but at the same time, this will provide opportunities for others to test themselves and for us to grow our squad depth," Benade said. "We saw in the final of the Africa Cup, with the absence of Cleopas Kundiona, Ian Prior, and Tinotenda Mavesere, that the boys who were given opportunities really stepped up admirably. While injuries are never ideal, we prioritize players' long-term health, rehabilitation, and monitoring, especially in this critical period."

Saturday's game will also mark a special milestone, as captain Hilton Mudaraki will reach his 50th cap for the Sables. Mudaraki had hoped to reach this achievement alongside injured teammate Simbarashe Mandioma, who was also slated for his 50th cap before being sidelined.

The Sables are using this Middle East and Asia tour as part of their rigorous preparation for the next year's Rugby Africa Cup, which will serve as the qualification pathway for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.