By Kuchineyi Lewis
Harare, Zimbabwe – 9 May 2025
Zimbabwe Rugby has unveiled a bold tactical approach ahead of their clash with the Botswana Vultures tommorow in the second instalment of the Battle of Zimbabwe Series.
Central to this strategy is the decision to start rising star Dion Khumalo as captain, while regular skipper Hilton Mudariki assumes a bench role as part of Head Coach Pieter Benade’s “impact player” setup.
This calculated move aims to maintain the high-tempo, physical dominance that saw the Sables dismantle Zambia 70-15 last weekend.
Coach Benade’s tactical reshuffle signals Zimbabwe’s intent to control the match in phases, with a strong finish expected from a powerful bench unit.
The inclusion of debutants such as scrum-half Tyrone Gombe—rewarded for his dynamic cameo against Zambia—adds fresh energy to the starting XV.
Khumalo’s captaincy is a landmark moment for the Grassroots-To-Greatness program, which has nurtured him through the junior ranks, including the Under-18 and Junior Sables setups.
His rise embodies the development model Zimbabwe Rugby is increasingly relying on to build depth and resilience within the national squad.
“Captaining the team is a huge honour.
“It’s something I didn’t expect, but being surrounded by experienced leaders like Hilton, Aiden [Burnett], and Kudzai [Mashawi] makes the job easier.
“We’re fully prepared for Botswana and focused on keeping our momentum going,” said Khumalo.
The Sables are calling on fans to pack Harare Sports Club once again, where the electric home crowd serves as a critical psychological edge.
“It really feels like having a 16th player on the pitch. We feed off that energy,” Khumalo said.
Injury has ruled out flanker Tadius “Boxer” Dzandiwandira, who suffered a concussion against Zambia. His absence is one of the few setbacks for a squad brimming with confidence.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Vultures, under coach Andrew Paxinos, have named a 24-man squad. With limited preparation time and the recent start of their domestic league, the Vultures view this fixture as vital exposure to high-level international rugby.
“We haven’t had much time to train, but every game against a strong opponent like Zimbabwe is a step forward for us.
“We aim to stand up physically and make the most of our set pieces,” said Paxinos.
Captain Brandon van Zyl echoed that sentiment: “Facing teams like Zimbabwe helps us measure where we are. We’re looking to apply pressure and play smart, especially outside our own half.”
