adminMehluli Sibanda in Stellenbosch, South Africa
THE Old Mutual Junior Sables are in the Cape wine lands of Stellenbosch for the annual Coca-Cola Craven Week, a schools’ rugby tournament, which starts today and ends on Saturday. Led by Falcon College hooker Brian Muntanga, the senior 22-member schools’ rugby side held their final training camp at Gateway High School ahead of their departure for South Africa.
Coach Godwin Murambiwa’s plans were affected by injuries to Angus Bruce and Cameron Harrison. Utility backline player Bruce of Saint George’s College injured his knee playing for his school while hooker Harrison from Saint John’s College dislocated his shoulder against Peterhouse Boys in Harare last Saturday.
Bruce was replaced by Peterhouse flyhalf Martin Mangongo while Tinotenda Msasanure of Christian Brothers’ College took Harrison’s place.
Zimbabwe will play their first match against Griquas Country Districts tomorrow, with their second fixture being decided by the result of tomorrow’s game two days later.
Their last encounter is a traditional battle against Namibia on the closing day of the competition.
The Under-16s threw a challenge to their seniors when they floored Namibia 21-7 in their last match at the Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week last Thursday in Oudtshoorn.
At last year’s Under-18 Craven Week, Zimbabwe lost all the three matches they played, but there is a great sense of optimism that the Junior Sables will perform better this year.
This feeling is fuelled by the fact that a number of players were involved in the same tournament last year, while others played at the Grant Khomo Week.
Junior Sables
Ackim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga (captain), Levi Fargnoli, Stuart Dodington, Campbell Nyakudza, Benjamin Meredith, Jordan Zietsman, Sam Phiri , Cleopas Kundiona (all Falcon College ) Sam Garnett, Aiden Burnett (all St John’s College) , Cuan Zeederberg, Tinotenda Vheriwa, Martin Mangongo (all Peterhouse), Liam Kenny, Tarisai Mapfumo (vice-captain), Tinashe Muchena, Kevin Chisango(all St George’s College), Ernest Mudzengerere, Russell Dinha, Shingirai Katsvere (all Prince Edward), Tinotenda Msasanure (Christian Brothers College)
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback
Team Manager: Tungamirai Mashungu.
Online Reporter