adminhis teenage boys, comprising players drawn mainly from St George’s, Peterhouse, Falcon and St John’s, are assured of taking part in the week-long tournament that will start on July 1 at Izak Steyl Stadium in Johannesburg.
The schools’ team is understood to have struck a long-term marriage with Innscor, which should be welcome news for the Zimbabwe Rugby Union, who have also been looking at ways to boost their development programme.
Zimbabwe are scheduled to leave for the Craven Week later this month and their first match will be against Griquas CD on July 1.
Team manager Shaun De Souza yesterday paid tribute to Innscor, through their Pizza Inn brand, and supermarket chain store Spar for chipping in with resources that have ensured the schoolboys fulfil their dream of playing at the annual Craven Week.
“We are very happy that the sponsors have made it easy for us. Last year the team had a difficult time in getting sponsorship but this time around we are glad that Innscor came in and they have provided all the requirements.
“We had a good team last year,’’ De Souza said.
Coach Trivella said they had been forced to drop two players from their original squad due to injuries.
Tamuka Parire of Midlands Christian College and Bruce Angus of St George’s have now been ruled out of the tour because of injuries.
“I am happy with the training, it is looking good though it is sad that some players are injured.
“On Sunday our focus was bonding the team and skills. I would like the players to know each other well.
“My aim this year is winning all three matches and to be ranked among the top six.
“Last year I was happy with our performance and we could have won all three games but we lost against Namibia.
“By the mid-term break the boys will know each other better and our main concentration will be on our line-outs, scrums and other technical areas but so far so good.
“The boys are focusing on the training and I am confident of getting good results,” said Trivella.
Zimbabwe Under-17 team
Michael Snook, Tinashe Muchena, Campbill Nyakudya, Munyaradzai Rutsate (all St George’s). Jeff Makoni, Luke Shoniwa, Ernest Mudzengerere, Nigel Mpofu (all Prince Edward), Edwin Nxumalo, Shaun Snyder, Ackim Sibanda, Brian Mutanga, Daniel Landrey (all Falcon), Moses Gunda , Gregory Mhindu, Sean Edwards, Antony Stubbs (all Peterhouse), Trent Hill, Ropafadzo Kwaramba, Albe Goremusandu, C. du Plessis (all Hellenic), Mark Hulbert, George Divaris, Antoni Ciampi (all St John’s), Farai Marinye, Takudzwa Gamanya (all Kyle College), Tafadzwa Shoniwa (Midlands Christian College).
Head Coach Douglas Trivella
Assistant Coach: Sebastian Garikai
Manager: Shaun De Souza.
Online Reporter