Mountaineers vs Southern Rocks, PR50, 2026/27, Today Match Prediction

MTN vs ROCKS Match Prediction & Analysis

Mountaineers and Southern Rocks will meet in the 11th match of the Pro50 Championship 2026/27 at the Mutare Sports Club in Mutare.

The two teams faced each other at the same venue on Friday, where Southern Rocks finally got their first win of the tournament. Mountaineers were bowled out for 198, and Rocks chased down the target, scoring 199 for 5 with 23 balls to spare. Their captain, Ashley Mufandauya, played a match winning knock of 82*.

Mountaineers are currently at the bottom of the table with 4 points from 5 matches, having lost 4 games. Southern Rocks are sitting 4th with the same 4 points, but they have played only 3 matches and still have 2 games in hand.

Rocks also have a better record in the last 5 meetings between these sides, leading by 3-2. They have won the last 2 matches, including Friday's game and last season's final. They also beat Mountaineers by 6 wickets on their previous visit to this ground in November 2025.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Mountaineers Preview

Mountaineers are having a difficult season so far, and their home ground has not helped either. They have lost all 3 matches at Mutare, with every defeat coming while batting first. Tuskers chased down totals of 234 and 185, while Southern Rocks also chased 199 on Friday. 

Their only win came away from home at Kwekwe. Timycen Maruma's side are currently at the bottom of the table, and with matches against Eagles still to come, they need a win here to keep their campaign alive.

Captain Timycen Maruma has been Mountaineers' best batter this season and is also the tournament's leading run-scorer, with 296 runs at an average of 59.20. Simbarashe Mudzengerere has scored 141 runs in 4 matches at an average of 47.00, while Ronak Patel has added 114 runs. 

Dion Myers has made 111 runs in 3 matches, including a fine knock of 91. They have players scoring runs, but they have not been able to put up big totals at home. They are yet to cross 235 in 3 matches at Mutare, and their total of 198 on Friday was not enough. They will need Maruma or one of their other in-form batters to play a big innings and help the side get past 260.

Ronak Patel has been their leading bowler with 8 wickets at an average of 18.00, including best figures of 4/26. Tendai Chatara has also done a good job, taking 5 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 16.40. He has best figures of 3/35 and an economy rate of 3.34. 

Prosper Mugeri has picked up 4 wickets, while Dion Myers has taken 3 wickets at an average of 15.00. The biggest concern for Mountaineers has been their bowling at home. They have failed to defend a target in all 3 matches at Mutare. If they bat first again, the bowlers will need to do a much better job of defending the total and picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Key Players: Timycen Maruma, Ronak Patel, Tendai Chatara

Mountaineers Predicted Playing XI:

Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwa Nyamugure, Kevin Kasuza, Alistair Frost, Ronak Patel, Timycen Maruma (c), Simbarashe Mudzengerere, Spencer Magodo (wk), Prosper Mugeri, Arinesto Vezha, Tendai Chatara

Southern Rocks Preview

Southern Rocks finally got their first win of the tournament on Friday, and it came with a much-changed side. Several regular players were missing, and Ashley Mufandauya took over the captaincy. He led from the front, scoring an unbeaten 82 and also picking up a wicket. 

Rocks had lost their first 2 matches against Eagles, first by 58 runs in a rain-shortened game and then by just 2 runs. So, this win was much needed. They are now 4th on the points table with 4 points and have games in hand on the teams around them. Another win against Mountaineers would help them move further up the table.

Nathaniel Hlabangana has scored 113 runs at an average of 56.50, with all his runs coming in one innings of 113. Panashe Taruvinga has also been in good form, scoring 108 runs in 2 matches at an average of 54.00, including a knock of 103. Captain Ashley Mufandauya has added 94 runs in 3 matches at an average of 47.00, with his unbeaten 82 coming in the last game. 

Fortune Mhlanga made an immediate impact on his return, picking up 4 wickets for 35 runs in his only match of the tournament so far. His spell played a big part in bowling Mountaineers out for 198 on Friday. Natsai M'shangwe has also taken 4 wickets in 3 matches, while Derrick Sadoki and Shelton Mazvitorera have picked up 3 wickets each in 2 matches. 

Tanatswa Chisvo has taken 2 wickets in his only appearance. No Rocks bowler has a big wicket tally yet, but Friday was a good example of how this attack can perform when everyone contributes. They bowled Mountaineers out for 198, taking them below 200 at this ground for the second time this season. They will be hoping for another similar performance.

Key Players: Ashley Mufandauya, Nathaniel Hlabangana, Fortune Mhlanga

Southern Rocks Predicted Playing XI:

Lennox Chando (wk), Jarryd Basson, Naison Mare, Ashley Mufandauya (c), Nathaniel Hlabangana, Jimmy Nyangoni, Owen Muzondo, Samuel Muyambo, Natsai M'shangwe, Fortune Mhlanga, Tanatswa Chisvo

Weather Conditions

Mutare is expected to be quite hot on Sunday, with temperatures reaching around 32°C. However, there could be some rain during the afternoon, with scattered thunderstorms forecast and a 40% chance of rain. Humidity is expected to be around 48%. There is a chance of interruptions, so we could see a shortened game or a revised target. 

MTN vs ROCKS Pitch Report

Three  matches have been played at Mutare Sports Club in this tournament, and all 3 have been won by the team batting second. The Mountaineers have batted first in all 3 games and lost each time. Tuskers chased down 234 with 12 balls to spare, then chased 185 with 80 balls remaining. On Friday, Southern Rocks also chased down 199 with 23 balls to spare.

The average first-innings score at this ground is 206, while the average second-innings score is 207. So far, no team has managed to put up a total that the opposition could not chase down. A team batting first will need to aim for at least 270 to put some pressure on the opposition.

Score Prediction

If Mountaineers bat first: 230-240
If Southern Rocks bat first: 220-250

Toss: To Bowl

All the three matches at Mutare have been won by the team batting second, with Mountaineers losing all 3 games after batting first. With thunderstorms also expected later in the day, the toss winning captain is likely to bowl first and chase the target.