Bio

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 cinch Stadium 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, with the Sables winning the 2024 Africa Cup and aiming to qualify for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia by winning the tournament again this coming July.

While still a student at Falcon College in his native Zimbabwe, Kundiona caught the eye for 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.