Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda in Johannesburg, South Africa
WITH two defeats from the same number of matches at this year’s Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week, the Old Mutual Zimbabwe rugby team go out hoping to avoid ending the competition winless when they take on Namibia at St Stithians College in their last match today.
Zimbabwe were beaten 72-17 in their opening match by the Leopards on Tuesday before they went down 34-14 to the Eastern Province Country Districts two days later.
While they were completely outclassed by the Leopards, it was not the case against EP CD when the Zimbabwean lads dominated the entire second half, only for handling to scamper their attempts to put some points on the scoreboard.
This morning, the Scott Gray-coached Junior Sables, face a Namibia side that past teams have failed to conquer over the years.
Gray has tasted victory against Namibia before when he was still the assistant coach of the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week team.
He described Namibia as tough opponents since they won their opening match on Tuesday.
“It’s going to be a very tough match, I was watching Namibia play, they play well as a team, simple hard, very physical rugby, that’s going to be a massive challenge for us taking up to that physical level,” said Gray.
He said he was going to give his boys some rest to recover for the crucial battle against Namibia. An injury and a suspension have left Gray with just 21 players to choose from.
Wing Tafadziswa Bunu is suspended for the rest of the Craven week after picking up a red card against Leopards while inside centre Tadiwa Muchemwa sits out today’s fixture with a broken wrist.
The Basil Dingiswayo coached-Academy Week side also takes on Namibia after an impressive display which saw them beat Border Country Districts 64-15 on Thursday.
Dingiswayo only has 19 fit players for today’s encounter which makes it difficult to beat the Namibians.
Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 squad Craven Week against Namibia
Rivaldo Kwidini, Marcus Nicole, Cody Rensburg, Dexter Trail, Davin King , Jack Charsley (captain), Ryan Smith, Ronald Mirimi, Dillon Brain, Tinashe Hombiro, Lameck Vheriwa, Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu (vice-captain), Lebukgang Mokuele, Tapiwa Marimira, Leroy Kagodora, Simbarashe Chingono, Michael Mhute, Leroy Kagodora
Replacements: Tadiwanashe Mabhudhu, Kudakwashe Mashonga, Brendan Mudzikitiri, Prince Mupfurutsa, Simbarashe Chingono, Michael Mhute
Coach: Scott Gray
Assistant coach: Cleopas Makotose
Team manager: Shaun De Souza —@Mdawini_29
Online Reporter