adminMehluli Sibanda in Durban, South Africa
THE Zimbabwe Junior Sables go into their last contest at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week schoolboy rugby tournament against Namibia on the Osler Field at Kearsney College today eager to end the competition on a high note. It has been a disappointing week for the Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa-mentored lads who despite winning 16-9 over Griquas Country Districts on Monday to bring an end to their seven match losing streak dating back to 2013, were given a thorough hiding by Griquas who drubbed them 78-5 in their second match of the tournament two days later.
Murambiwa yesterday urged his boys to rise up to the challenge in what has been a traditional fixture between the only two national teams at the Under-18 Craven Week on the last day for years.
The Junior Sables coach believes that just like them, Namibia got a tough fixture in their second match on Wednesday where they lost 51-15 to Pumas. Namibia had beaten Griquas 54-36 in their first match on Monday.
“Our chances of winning the match are 50/50. They played a tough game on Wednesday. Pumas is a strong and despite the score being high they did good and attacked well. Our boys need to rise to the challenge of playing a Test and be confrontational at collision area as well as play,’’ said Murambiwa.
He said he has tried to reward players who put in solid performances in the opening two matches. According to Murambiwa, the Old Mutual-sponsored Zimbabwe team have to travel a one and half hour journey to the venue for the early morning kick off because of where they are staying.
“We have tried to go best foot forward and rewarded the boys based on solid performances from the two games this week. We know and feel the pressure because this is a full Test match being played on a wet field,’’ Murambiwa said.
Samuel Garnett, Tinashe Chaza and Cleopas Kundiona will scrum in the front row. Daniel Hutchings will lock down the scrum with the aid of Godfrey Magaramombe, the loose trio being made up of skipper Stuart Dodington, Tichaona Hwangwa on the flanks and Tendekai Chigwendere at number eight.
Connor McMillan returns to scrumhalf while backline leader Benjamin Meredith is also back at number 10. Peter Davis, scorer of Zimbabwe’s first try of the tournament shifts to the left wing with Tapiwa Marimira to operate on the right side. Matthew McNab, Zimbabwe’s leading points scorer so far with 16 is at inside centre where he has Rodney Sachiti on his outside while Martin Mangongo is the last man in defence at fullback.
derick.khumalo