adminLAST weekend was typified by joy, jubilation as well as despair at the Old Mutual-bankrolled national trials held in Esigodini and Chinhoyi where the Zimbabwe Under-13, Under-16 and Under-18 rugby teams were named for the yearly Coca-Cola Youth Weeks in South Africa.
At the Youth Weeks, local youngsters always get the opportunity to play against fellow upcoming players from the host country’s provinces as well as those from Namibia.
For those picked into any of the three national teams, the development was received with much celebration at the opportunity to put on the national colours in South Africa while for those who failed to make it, it was all gloom.
Lomagundi College in Chinhoyi was the venue for the Under-13 trials, the youngest age group travel to White River for the Under-13 Coca-Cola Craven Week which runs from 29 June to 3 July with Gordon Pangeti replacing Bryan Rademeyer as national Under-13 coach.
Falcon College in Esigodini was the setting for the Under-16 and Under-18 trials. The Douglas Trivella coached Under-16 find their way to the Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week in Oudtshoorn set for 6 July to 9 July while the Under-18, under the mentorship of Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa travel to Stellenbosch for the Coca-Cola Craven Week whose dates are 13 July to 18 July.
A renewed sponsorship deal signed between the ZRU and Old Mutual will see all the three sides being referred to as the Old Mutual Junior Sables with the teams being kitted by the international stock exchange listed firm. The integrated financial services group increased their support to Zimbabwe rugby this year with the sponsorship now covering development of the game, referees and the Craven Week sides.
Old Mutual Junior Sables Squads
Under-18: Ackim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga, Levi Fargnoli, Stuart Dodington, Campbell Nyakudza, Benjamin Meredith, Jordan Zietsman, Sam Phiri, Cleopas Kundiona (all Falcon College) Sam Garnett, Cameron Harrison, Aiden Burnett (all St John’s College), Cuan Zeederberg, Tinotenda Vheriwa(both Peterhouse), Angus Bruce, Tarisai Mapfumo, Tinashe Muchena, Kevin Chisango (all St George’s College), Ernest Mudzengerere, Russell Dinha, Shingirai Katsvere (all Prince Edward)
Non travelling reserves: Edwin Nxumalo, Shaun Snyder, Matthew McNab, Kieran Butler (All Falcon College) Tinotenda Msasanure (Christian Brothers College), Takudzwa Gamanya (Kyle College), Gregory Mhindu (Peterhouse)
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback
Team Manager: Tungamirai Mashungu
Under-16: Rian Scheepers, Jack Charsley, Davin King, Teagan Catterall, Chipo Mupeso, Siampunga Sindaza, Rivaldo Kwindini, Tadiwa Mabhudhu, Takunda Machaya (all Falcon College) Marcus Nicole, Kundayi Mashingaidze, Keegan Schultz, Heath Curry, Mazvita Nyamurebvu (all Peterhouse) Ryan Smit, Desmond Annadale, Keegan Anderson, Lindsay White, David McGaw, Martin Eezon (all St John’s College) Jerry Munyeza, Russell Biyason, Daniel Zanin, Cody Rensburg, Tafadziswa Bunu (all St George’s College) Munashe Camera (Kyle College) Brandon Mudzikitiri, Jabulani Mapuma, Sean Mupanemunda (all Prince Edward), Tonderai Chiwambutsa (Kwekwe High School), Dudley Matimura (Hellenic), Sizwe Ndlovu (Gateway)
Coach: Douglas Trivella
Assistant: Scott Gray
Team manager: Crispen Mhike
Under-13: Marcelle Masvikeni, Munashe Mhere, Milton Manyangadze (all St George’s College), Brendan Mason, Brian Java, Rua Karimazondo, Carl Kawodza, Connor Higgins (all St John’s College), Tinashe Zvinairo (St Ignatius), Kudzaishe Maringa, Matthew Hickey, Jehiel Maguranyanga, Joshua Blatch, Sakhumuzi Ndlela (all Falcon College), Tadiwanashe Maravanyika, Panashe Masaya (both Midlands Christian College), Munashe Maisera (Lomagundi College), Joshua Campbell, Tapiwanashe Zvidzai (both Hellenic), Vernon Matongo (Hartzel)
Coach: Gordon Pangeti
Assistant coach: Orlando Fernandes
Team manager: Tanetswa Dinhidza
Online Reporter