adminDistricts in their opening game of the week-long rugby festival here at the GWK Park Stadium.
Zimbabwe have been dominant over Border CD in the past few years but Murambiwa believes that is no reason for his side to be too confident if they are to register another win over the South African side.
Last year Zimbabwe beat the side by more than 40 points but there are only two survivors from the Class of 2010 coming in the form of centre Takudzwa Chieza and captain Gareth Meikle.
And the same could be said for Border CD, who also have two players, from last year’s team.
The duo are in the starting line up but Chieza is doubtful after he suffered an ear infection.
His availability would only be determined by his recovery.
However, Zimbabwe are under a lot of pressure to win their opening game as their rivals Namibia registered a 40-19 win over the Leopards in the opening game of the festival yesterday morning. But it is not only this game that is putting Zimbabwe under pressure, as their Under-14 side put up a spirited performance to win two of their three games, beating Namibia in the process, two weeks ago.
“Namibia have just won their game and that also puts a lot of pressure on us because whether we like it or not they are our yardstick for rugby and a win puts us under a bit of pressure.
“Looking at their game they were very clinical and they beat a good provincial side and that is a good performance.
“But we hope to play to our full potential for the entire 70 minutes, and we have to be very careful even though we have beaten this side a number of times in the past festivals,” said the former Sables coach. Several changes were yesterday made to the initial XV and Murambiwa said these were due to how they want to play their game this morning.
“It is actually an issue of combinations, we obviously see it differently as coaches and it also depends on how we want to play our game and move forward.
“We are looking at having a mobile team that would match Border CD, who have a more open game and are very mobile, and we hope that the starting line-up we have grouped would be able to stand up to the challenge.
“We expect Tapiwa Tsomondo, who has been in top form in the schools league back home, to lead the side.
“Rorke has experience from the Barbarians’ game they won, (flayhalf) Luke Masarire is a good ball player he is a good kicker and can take it with both legs.
“Takudzwa Chieza was here last year together with Meikle and I hope he will come through while Preston Bryant has just come back from an injury. “
Twenty teams are taking part in the event, including 18 provincial and select sides from the host nation, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“It will be tough obviously given that the South African players are hoping to make it for their junior national side.
“I’m sure we are in for a tough week of rugby and we hope to come out with the best of what we have,” added Murambiwa.
Zimbabwe Starting XV
Backs
James Forester, Sean Zeederburg, Preston Bryant, Takudzwa Chieza,Tarisai Ndudzo, Luke Masasire, Sargeant
Forwards
Kudakwashe Makuvire, Rees Surtees, Joshua Smallbornes, Mathew Lawson, Robert Zee, Tapiwa Tsomondo, Daniel Rorke, Garath Meikle.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter