Zimbabwean prop Cleopas Kundiona arrived at Northampton Saints from French Pro D2 side USON Nevers ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The tighthead arrived at Franklin’s Gardens having made 50 appearances for Nevers – 38 of which came as a starter.

At 6’0” and 124kg, the powerful prop is a strong set-piece operator but also boasts superb mobility around the park. Kundiona is also a key member of Zimbabwe’s international side, helping the Sables qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup by beating Namibia in the final of the 2025 Rugby Africa Cup.

While still a student at Falcon College in his native Zimbabwe, Kundiona caught the eye of his country’s Under-18s side with his technical maturity and raw power – earning his first senior start at tighthead for Zimbabwe at just 19 years old.

A move to the Hollywoodbets Sharks’ professional set-up followed, where he rubbed shoulders with the likes of Springbok props Ox Nche and Beast Mtawarira, before Kundiona made the switch to Stade Olympique Chambéry for the 2021/22 campaign.

A series of impressive performances in the Nationale (France’s third tier) led to a move to Nevers the following season, with Kundiona plying his trade there before joining up with Northampton, where he made 17 appearances in his debut season.