adminFrom Mehluli Sibanda in Stellenbosch, South Africa
THE Zimbabwe Under-18 rugby team takes on Griquas Country Districts in the 52nd edition of the Coca-Cola Craven Week at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch today. Captain and hooker Brian “Beast” Muntanga will be hoping for a fine start as the result will be used to decide their next opponent onThursday.
Coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa has selected those he believes are the best players from his 22-member squad after a training session at Stellenbosch University.
The Junior Sables watched their opponents losing 14-36 to Namibia in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday before attending the Craven Week official opening ceremony later in the afternoon.
Muntanga will be sandwiched by Ackim Sibanda at loosehead and Samuel Garnett at tighthead in the front row. Locking the Zimbabwe scrum will be Levi Fargnoli and Tinashe Muchena, with the loose trio of Stuart Dodington, Cuan Zeederberg and Aiden Burnett.
At scrumhalf is the experienced Campbell Nyakudya, who forms a halfback pairing with his Falcon College schoolmate Benjamin Meredith. Peterhouse Boys’ hard tackling Tinotenda Vheriwa will play on the wing together with Sam Phiri. Jordan Zietsman will start at inside centre with Shingirai Kasvere on the outside, while vice-captain Tarisai Mapfumo will anchor the defence at fullback.
Murambiwa said he did not have much information about Griquas Country Districts.
The Zimbabwe Schools lost 20-26 to Griquas Country Districts in their second fixture of the 2014 competition, and will be out to avenge that narrow loss.
Online Reporter