OXEN Sports is proud to announce Racing 92 backrower Shingirai Manyarara as its newest official athlete, strengthening the brand’s growing presence in French rugby union ahead of the launch of its European distribution operation.
The powerful Zimbabwean has emerged as one of the most exciting young forwards in the TOP 14, combining explosive ball-carrying, physicality and athleticism with an impressive work rate on both sides of the ball.
Manyarara joined Racing 92 in 2023 after developing his game at Kingswood College in South Africa and representing Zimbabwe at under-20 level. He made his professional breakthrough during the 2024/25 season before establishing himself as a regular member of the Racing side throughout an outstanding 2025/26 campaign.
His performances helped Racing 92 reach the TOP 14 semi-finals, with the young forward praised for the consistency, energy and professionalism he demonstrated throughout the season. Manyarara has committed his long term future to the Paris club, signing his first professional contract through to 2029.
As an official OXEN athlete, Manyarara will wear the brand’s rugby boots and work closely with OXEN to support Kingswood college in future initiatives.
The signing arrives at an important moment in OXEN’s international growth, with the brand making moves into the French market and preparing to establish a dedicated European distribution network.
This new distribution operation will make OXEN’s growing collection of rugby boots, technical apparel and performance products more widely available to athletes, clubs and consumers across France and mainland Europe.
Lee Jenkinson, CEO of OXEN Sports, said:
“Shingi is exactly the type of athlete we want to build the OXEN brand alongside. He is powerful, athletic and uncompromising in the way he plays, but he is also ambitious, grounded and determined to keep developing.
“He has made an enormous impression in one of the strongest competitions in world rugby and, at only 22, has an incredibly exciting future ahead of him.
“This signing is also another important step in OXEN’s international growth. France is one of the biggest and most passionate rugby markets in the world, and with our European distribution operation launching soon, we are excited to begin building a much stronger presence there.
“We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Shingi and he is one of the hardest working, humble and polite people we’ve ever had the pleasure to deal with, so naturally we are delighted to officially welcome him to OXEN.”
Shingirai Manyarara added:
“I’m proud to become an official OXEN athlete and to join a brand that has such strong ambitions within rugby.
“OXEN understands what modern players need from their footwear and performance products.
“I’m still at the beginning of my career and focused on working hard to improve every day. I believe OXEN shares that same mentality, so this feels like a really exciting partnership.”