adminPaul Munyuki Sports Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Under-17 yesterday wrote their own piece of history when they became the first national schools rugby side to get the better of Namibia in five years following a 21-7 over their bitter rivals at the Grant Khomo Festival in South Africa.
The last time a Zimbabwe national schools side got the better of the Namibians was at the 2010 Under-18 Craven Week Festival at North West Stadium in Welkom when Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa’s boys emerged 31-20 victors.
The closest Zimbabwe came was in 2014 when the Under-13 side drew 24-24 against Namibia at the Under-13 Craven Week Festival in South Africa.
However, yesterday was a memorable day for the young boys as they celebrated a win over their bitter rivals, with the points coming from Munashe Kamera, who scored a brace of tries, Tafadziswa Bunu weighing in with one, while Russell Biyasen converted all three.
It was the back three of wingers Kamera, Bunu and full-back Biyaseni that gave Zimbabwe all the joy on the day, having gone into the break with a 7-0 lead courtesy of a 23rd minute Kamera try as the other two tries came in the second half.
Namibia responded through a Jacques Theron try that Delron Brandt converted for their seven points.
While the Under-17 finished their tour on a high, their senior side, the Under-18 team, were going through their paces at Gateway School in Harare, with their camp hitting a high as all the players had arrived.
Fourteen players were at the camp’s opening training session on Wednesday and these included Tarisai Mapfumo, Liam Kenny, Cuan Zeederberg, Kevin Chisango, Aiden Burnett, Sam Garnett, Ackim Sibanda Shingirai Katsvere and Brian Mutanga.
But yesterday it was a full-house.
There were two forced changes due to injury to the initial squad after St George’s College centre Angus Bruce (knee) and St John’s College hooker Cameron Harrison (shoulder) were ruled out of the touring party.
Harrison was at Gateway yesterday watching his colleagues go through their paces.
The two were replaced by Peterhouse fly-half Martin Mangongo and Tinotenda Msasanure of Christian Brothers College.
Assistant coach Graham “Kaulsy” Kaulback believes there is quality in his side.
“We worked on taking shape in defence as well as in attack and for these any player needs to take any position,” said Kaulback.
“It’s unfortunate we have lost two players to injuries, but that is all part of the game and as Zimbabwe schools we are so blessed to have depth in the players that the replacement players are just as good.”
Harrison — who suffered his fifth shoulder injury on the same arm — hopes that despite the changes Zimbabwe will dominate at the annual Craven Week festival set for Stellenbosch, South Africa.
“I don’t really feel sad that I am no longer travelling to South Africa, but I hope those who are going to represent our country will dominate at the festival.
“We have got good players and I am sure the replacements brought into the side are equally good with the ball and deserve the place,” said Harrison.
The hooker was part of the Zimbabwe Under-17 side that took part at the Grant Khomo Week in South Africa together with the likes of Zeederberg, Garnett, Stuart Dodington and Benjamin Meredith, who are part of this year’s Under-18 side.
“It’s also good to note that in as much as we bonded well as a team last year, I would say that this year we have a better bond as the Under-18s and my words to these boys are that they have to go out there and make our country proud, stay humble and fight hard.
“I have had a rather short season because I had dislocated the same shoulder during the Dairibord Festival against Prince Edward and the doctors ruled me out for four weeks, only to play four games leading to another injury against Peterhouse at the weekend.
“So, I hope I will be back in the (Craven Week) team next year because I will have surgery next month and have seven months of recovery and rehabilitation; it’s a long road ahead,” said the St John’s College hooker.
Under-18 squad:
Ackim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga (captain), Levi Fargnoli, Stuart Dodington, Campbell Nyakudya, Benjamin Meredith, Jordan Zietsman, Sam Phiri, Cleopas Kundiona (all Falcon College) Sam Garnett, Aiden Burnett (both St John’s College), Cuan Zeederberg, Tinotenda Vheriwa, Martin Mangongo (all Peterhouse), Tarisai Mapfumo (vice-captain), Tinashe Muchena, Liam Kenny, Kevin Chisango (all St Georges College), Ernest Mudzengerere, Russell Dinha, Shingirai Katsvere (all Prince Edward), Tinotenda Msasanure (CBC).
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