adminMehluli Sibanda in Middelburg, South Africa
THE Old Mutual Zimbabwe Young Sables play against Griquas Country Districts in their second match at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at the High Technical School Middelburg in Middelburg, South Africa this morning.Zimbabwe lost their first match of the tournament when they went down 54-41 to Eastern Province Country Districts on the opening day on Monday. Griquas Country Districts were beaten 25-19 by Limpopo Blue Bulls on the first day of the competition which makes today’s clash a match between two wounded sides eager to record their first win.
For the Godwin Murambiwa coached Young Sables, it is an opportunity to get their first win at the Craven Week against a team they thumped in last year’s tournament.
Commenting on their loss to EP Country Districts, Murambiwa felt that his players might have been overwhelmed by the occasion as they did not play to their full potential. Zimbabwe at some stage trailed their opponents from Eastern Cape 39-3 before they fought their way back to lose by 13 points.
“In our first game the boys took a step back, they were overawed by the occasion, our defensive structure was weak,’’ said Murambiwa.
Yesterday morning, Murambiwa took the boys through their first training session following their loss to EP Country Districts where they worked hard on their defence. Murambiwa has emphasised the need for his team to pick up a win ahead of their clash against Namibia on Saturday.
“The pressure is on us, we have said that when we come here we have to win some matches so it is important to win our second match as we prepare to meet Namibia,’’ Murambiwa.
Seven changes have been made to the Young Sables team which played on Monday with all the players who were on the bench now in the starting line-up.
In the front row, Falcon College prop Ackim Sibanda comes in for Justin Mendelsohn at loosehead prop, Bradley Crause replaces Lebogang Ngwenya at hooker. Godwin Mangenje takes up Tinashe Gonese’s position in the second row while utility forward Brian Muntanga comes in for Jeffrey Makoni at flank.
In the backline, Ngoni Zinyama has taken up Campbell Nyakudya’s position at scrumhalf while there is a new centre pairing of Shaun Snyder and Tapiwa Mazorodze who replace the duo of Matthew Ushewokunze and Dean McRoberts.
Skipper Stephen Bhasera, one of the two vice-captains and Eli Snyman have been retained in the starting line up for today’s match. The two would be expected to inspire the Young Sables to victory together with wingers Brian Mhuriyengwe, Tawanda Ngosi and eighthman Daniel Nyamugama.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s opponents on Saturday, Namibia were massacred 53-13 by North West Leopards in their first fixture of the Craven Week yesterday. The Namibians who are coached by Albert Arries, only managed to score one converted try and two penalty goals.
Zimbabwe Under-18 team to play Griquas Country Districts
Starting line-up: Ackim Sibanda, Bradley Crause, Stephen Bhasera (captain), Godwin Mangenje, Eli Snyman (vice-captain), Brian Muntanga, Cole Bond, Daniel Nyamugama, Ngoni Zinyama, Angus Bruce, Brian Mhuriyengwe, Shaun Snyder, Tapiwa Mazorodze, Tawanda Ngosi, Tarisai Mapfumo
Replacements: Justin Mendelsohn, Lebogang Ngwenya, Tinashe Gonese, Jeffrey Makoni, Campbell Nyakudya, Matthew Ushewokunze, Dean McRoberts
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa
Assistant coach: Brendon Brider
Online Reporter