Sables coach on Rugby Festival

Mehluli Sibanda
ZIMBABWE national Under-18 rugby team coach Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa was astounded with the talent which was on display at the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival and hopes this will translate into a stronger Young Sables squad for the Coca-Cola Craven Week in Stellenbosch, South Africa in July.

Murambiwa attended all the six days of the schools rugby fiesta which concluded at Prince Edward High School in Harare last Saturday. All the country’s top rugby playing schools were in attendance except for Christian Brothers College from Bulawayo and Hellenic of Harare. This gave Murambiwa an opportunity to see the players so as to get a better idea when the Craven Week selection is conducted three weeks into the schools second term.

What makes the Young Sables coach even happier is the fact that 10 players who made the team last year are eligible again this year and there are also those who were in the Under-16 which went to Coca-Cola Grant Khomo Week who are expected to graduate to the Under-18. Last year, Murambiwa attributed the side’s poor performance at the Under-18 Craven Week to inexperience. The Stephen Bhasera led Young Sables lost all the three matches they played in Middelburg against Eastern Province Country District, Griquas Country Districts and Namibia.

“There is lots of talent I have seen at the festival, except for Hellenic and CBC everyone was there. This year’s standard is much better, sides were much organised than last year, we should have a strong squad this year. We have 10 players from last year who are eligible plus we have those who went to the Grant Khomo Week, no one is guaranteed a place in the team, everyone has to go through the selection process,’’ said Murambiwa.

Some of those players who were part of the Under-18 Craven Week last year who qualify for this year are the Falcon College quartet of hooker Brian Muntanga, fullback Shaun Snyder, scrumhalf Campbell Nyakudya, prop Ackim Sibanda, the PE trio of lock Godwin Mangenji, props Kumbirai Ndaba, Jeff Makoni , the Saint George’s College duo of fullback Tarisai Mapfumo, flyhalf Angus Bruce and Chemist Madhuku who made the team as a non travelling reserve last year while still at Ellis Robbins but has now moved over to Churchill.

Those who were part of the Under-16 team last year who are now playing first team rugby include the Falcon College trio of Stuart Dodington, Matthew McNab and Benjamin Meredith, Travis Landing of Peterhouse, the PE trio of Davis Murwendo, Tinotenda Savanhu and Nqobisile Ncube.

Final trials for the Under-18 will be held at Falcon College in Esigodini on 22 and 23 May. Murambiwa pointed out that he prefers the selection process to be staged at a place with boarding facilities where the players get to bond over the weekend unlike a scenario where some of the players will be staying at home.

As was the case last year, each province will be expected to second 15 players to the trials. Harare is going to send two teams, Matabeleland one, same for Central, Mashonaland Country Districts and a development side named the President’s XV chosen from the small teams at the Dairibord Schools Rugby Festival.

It is highly anticipated that Falcon College will provide the highest number of players in the Young Sables because of the kind of form they showcased at the festival. Falcon won all the three matches they played at the schools rugby fiesta against Churchill (21-7), Watershed (74-0) and Peterhouse (18-15).

This year’s Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week is scheduled for Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch from 13 to 18 July, the same venue where Zimbabwe won all the three matches they played in the tournament in 2007. Under the leadership of loose forward Michael Todd, coached by Murambiwa, the Young Sables beat Border Country Districts 11-6, Border 27-5 and Namibia 22-18. It was the last time that they returned home with three wins and Murambiwa hopes a return to Stellenbosch can bring with it better fortunes for his team.