Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay: Kickoff, Team News and Pool Stakes | Nov. 11, 2026

Information checked: November 11, 2026 at 3:07 PM, London, Greenwich Mean Time (GMT, UTC+00:00; 15:07 UTC). This is the verification time, not the match start time.

Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. GMT (15:00 UTC) at Trailfinders Sports Ground in Ealing, England, in the World Rugby Nations Cup. Both nations are chasing their first victory in the 2026 competition. Zimbabwe enter after a 43–7 loss to Samoa, while Uruguay were beaten 18–12 by Spain. The fixture has not yet been played, so there is no final score or match result to report.

The newest pregame development is Zimbabwe's reported matchday selection. A November 11 report names Tinotenda Mavesere as captain, with Tyrone Gombe at scrum-half and Jason Robertson at fly-half; regular skipper Hilton Mudariki does not feature in that reported 23. Uruguay's confirmed 23 for this fixture was not available in the official sources checked, so any prediction about its starting lineup remains provisional.

Destaques

• Kickoff: Saturday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00) in Ealing, England, equivalent to 15:00 UTC, 5:00 p.m. in Zimbabwe and noon in Uruguay.
• Team news: Zimbabwe's reported selection has Mavesere captaining the side, Gombe and Robertson in the half-backs, and no Hilton Mudariki in the matchday 23.
• Pool picture: Uruguay are fifth in Pool A on eight points; Zimbabwe are sixth in Pool B on two, after four matches apiece.
• Status: This is a pregame preview. A final score and Uruguay's confirmed matchday lineup had not been established at the time of verification.

What time is Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay, and where is the match?

The venue is Trailfinders Sports Ground, Ealing, England, with a confirmed 3:00 p.m. Saturday kickoff in London. The United Kingdom will be on Greenwich Mean Time on November 14, after its October daylight saving time change. World Rugby's official World Rugby match center confirms the date and venue, while the Uruguayan union's Uruguayan Rugby Union’s November 10 match preview lists noon in Uruguay, which corresponds to 15:00 UTC.

World Rugby has appointed Japan's Katsuki Furuse as referee, with Ben Breakspear and Ben Connor as assistant referees and Stefano Penne as television match official, according to its World Rugby’s match-official appointments. Zimbabwe are the designated home team, but the game is being staged in England as part of arrangements for this year's November window, as explained in the World Rugby’s November schedule announcement.

Who has been named in Zimbabwe's team to face Uruguay?

Zimbabwean outlet The Herald published a matchday 23 on November 11, identifying changes made by Sables coach Pieter Benade following the Samoa defeat. The selection is reported rather than independently reproduced on the official World Rugby match page at the time of checking, and late changes remain possible. According to the November 11 team report by Zimbabwe’s The Herald, the proposed starting XV is:

Forwards (1–8): Victor Mupunga, Liam Larkan, Bornwell Gwinji, Dale Lemon, Gary Porter, Tinotenda Mavesere (captain), Godfrey Muzanargwo and Aiden Burnett.

Backs (9–15): Tyrone Gombe, Jason Robertson, Edward Sigauke, Dion Khumalo, Brandon Mudzekenyedzi, Matthew McNab and Tapiwa Mafura.

Reported replacements (16–23): Bryan Chiang, Tijde Visser, Farai Mudariki, Daniel Cooke, Tadiwanashe Gwashu, Vuyani Dhlomo, Ian Prior and Bruce Houston.

Gombe is listed at No. 9, Robertson moves to No. 10, and Mafura is at fullback. Ian Prior, who started at fly-half against Samoa, is listed among the substitutes. Hilton Mudariki's absence should not be attributed to injury or a disciplinary decision without confirmation: the reason was not established in the report. The matchup therefore offers a test of a revised Zimbabwe backline, but whether the changes will improve possession, territory or scoring can only be assessed after the game.

Has Uruguay announced its starting lineup?

The Uruguayan Rugby Union's Uruguayan Rugby Union’s November 10 match preview confirms the fixture, venue, local Uruguayan kickoff time and the team's aim of collecting a first Nations Cup win. It does not provide a complete starting XV in the material checked for this article. Uruguay's head coach is Guzmán Barreiro, whose side came close against Spain in Madrid on November 7. A previously selected player should not be presented as a confirmed starter for November 14 without an updated team sheet.

Readers should consult the official match center closer to kickoff for any confirmed lineup, injury replacements or last-minute changes. The Sables selection described above is attributed to its reporting source; Uruguay's final 23 remains to be verified.

How did Zimbabwe and Uruguay perform in their previous games?

Zimbabwe lost 43–7 to Samoa in Wakefield on November 7. World Rugby's World Rugby’s fourth-round report describes Samoa's dominant opening half and records Zimbabwe's late try through second-rower Dale Lemon. It was Zimbabwe's fourth defeat in four Nations Cup outings. The Sables have scored 67 points and conceded 133 overall, leaving a points difference of minus 66.

Uruguay fell 18–12 to Spain in Madrid on November 7. The Uruguayan Rugby Union’s November 10 match preview identifies it as a narrow defeat and describes the trip to Ealing as an opportunity to build toward the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Uruguay have yet to win in four Nations Cup matches, but their record includes one draw and three defeats. Their 122 points scored and 137 conceded leave a difference of minus 15. Those tournament totals are taken from World Rugby's official Nations Cup pool standings as checked on November 11.

Uruguay have generally been closer on the scoreboard across the competition, but those historical totals cannot determine Saturday's result. Zimbabwe's new half-back pairing and Uruguay's response to the Spain match are more immediate questions than any assumed favorite.

What does Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay mean for the Nations Cup pools?

The teams do not share a pool. Uruguay compete in Pool A, alongside the United States, Samoa, Tonga, Chile and Canada; Zimbabwe compete in Pool B, alongside Georgia, Portugal, Spain, Romania and Hong Kong China. In this cross-pool format, every team plays six opponents from the opposite pool across July and November. Each result still contributes to its own pool table.

World Rugby's World Rugby’s tournament format and scoring rules awards four table points for a win, two for a draw, a bonus point for scoring at least four tries, and a losing bonus point for a defeat by seven points or fewer. Only two matches remain per team. Since Pool A leaders USA and Pool B leaders Georgia each already have 19 points, neither Uruguay (maximum possible 18) nor Zimbabwe (maximum possible 12) can finish first in its pool. The significance here is therefore a first tournament win, a possible rise in the lower standings and momentum for the final round, not a direct route to the pool title.

What should fans watch for, and what happens next?

For Zimbabwe, the central question is whether Gombe and Robertson can establish a more consistent attacking rhythm while the forwards provide a platform. The reported captaincy change places additional leadership responsibility on Mavesere. These are tactical points to monitor, not verified explanations for past defeats or guarantees of an improved performance.

For Uruguay, the focus is on turning competitive passages into points after the six-point loss to Spain. If they maintain discipline and convert territory into scoring opportunities, the result could improve their position in Pool A; if Zimbabwe can exert pressure at the set piece and avoid costly turnovers, the contest may be tighter. Those are conditional scenarios, not predictions or established match events.

The competition continues the following weekend. Uruguay are due to play Portugal in Lisbon on November 21, while Zimbabwe are scheduled to meet Chile in Angoulême, France, on the same date. For verified scores, match statistics and subsequent updates, follow the official World Rugby match center and official Nations Cup pool standings. World Rugby advertises RugbyPass TV coverage, while the Uruguayan Rugby Union lists Disney+ for viewers in Uruguay; streaming availability depends on territory.

FAQ: Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay

When is Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay in 2026?

Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. GMT (UTC+00:00), or 15:00 UTC.

Where will Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay be played?

Trailfinders Sports Ground in Ealing, England. Zimbabwe are the designated home side.

What is the Zimbabwe vs. Uruguay score?

There is no result yet as of the November 11 verification. Kickoff is scheduled for November 14; the final score should be checked in World Rugby's official match center after the game.