adminMehluli Sibanda in STELLENBOSCH, South Africa
AFTER losing their Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week schoolboy rugby competition’s opening match to the Griquas Country Districts on Tuesday, the Old Mutual Junior Sables of Zimbabwe will be out to make amends when they go up against Eastern Province Country Districts at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, South Africa, at 10:30am today.
The pairing against EP Country Districts means the Zimbabwean schoolboys will play the same teams like they did at last year’s Craven Week as they are also due to take on Namibia in their last match on Saturday. The Godwin Murambiwa-coached lads lost 54-41 to EP Country Districts in their first match of the 2014 Craven Week in Middelburg. As per the tournament rules, which state that all the 22 players in a team squad must play at least a full 70 minutes of rugby at the Craven Week, Murambiwa has made six changes to his starting line-up.
Props Liam Kenny and Cleopas Kundiona, hooker Tinotenda Msasanure, lock Kevin Chisango, scrumhalf Ernest Mudzengerere, wing Russell Dinha as well as utility backline player Martin Mangongo have been drafted into the starting 15.
Dropping to the bench are skipper Brian Muntanga, Samuel Garnett, Ackim Sibanda, Levi Fargnoli, Campbell Nyakudya, Sam Phiri and Tarisai Mapfumo.
With Muntanga not in the starting line-up, flank Cuan Zeederberg will lead the Junior Sables.
The changes mean that the front row is made up of Kenny, Msasanure and Kundiona. The second row is made up of Muchena and Kevin Chisango while the loose trio of Stuart Dodington, Zeederberg as well as Aiden Burnett remains the same as it was in the last encounter.
Flyhalf Benjamin Meredith, outstanding for Zimbabwe in their loss 17-12 loss to Griquas CD on Tuesday where he contributed seven points retains his place in the starting line up with a new halfback partner in Mudzengerere.
Starting line up: Liam Kenny, Tinotenda Msasanure, Cleopas Kundiona, Tinashe Muchena, Kevin Chisango, Stuart Dodington, Cuan Zeederberg (captain), Aiden Burnett, Ernest Mudzengerere, Benjamin Meredith, Tinotenda Vheriwa, Jordan Zietsman, Shingirai Katsvere, Russell Dinha, Martin Mangongo
Replacements: Ackim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga, Samuel Garnett, Levi Fargnoli, Campbell Nyakudya, Sam Phiri, Tarisai Mapfumo
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback
Team Manager: Tungamirai Mashungu
Director of rugby: Brighton Chivandire
Online Reporter