FOLLOWING heavy defeats to their South African opposition in their respective opening fixtures at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Youths Weeks at St Stithians College on Tuesday, the Old Mutual Juniors Sables will look to redeem themselves with better displays in their second matches on Thursday morning.

For the Scott Gray coached Craven Week side, who lost 72-17 to Leopards on Tuesday, they take on Eastern Province Country Districts. Basil Dingiswayo’s Academy Week team, 62-14 losers against Golden Lions XV has been handed a fixture against Border Country Districts.

Just like Zimbabwe, Eastern Province CD lost 42-20 to Griquas while Border CD were beaten 51-20 by Valke Platteland on Tuesday. Zimbabwe’s record against Eastern Province CD over the past few years is not that impressive. In 2014, the Junior Sables, then under the mentorship of Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa lost 54-43 in a high scoring encounter in Middelburg. The following year, with Murambiwa again at the helm, Zimbabwe were beaten 51-20 in Stellenbosch.

Gray who started off his Under-18 Craven Week coaching career with a heavy defeat to the Leopards would want to prove his worth with a better show when his lads tackle the Eastern Province CD. His game plan was thrown into disarray when winger Tafadziswa Bunu was sent off early into the second half. The lanky Bunu had been shown a yellow card for a high tackle in the first half which saw him spend 10 minutes in the sin bin. Referee Johre Botha no choice but to send him off when he spear tackled an opponent a few minutes after he served his temporary suspension.

On Wednesday, Gray described the fixture against Eastern Province CD as being a hard one but at the same time saw it as an opportunity for his lads to put in a great performance that they are capable of.

“It is going to be another tough game for us as the physicality level is very high and we have to step up to it. In saying that though it is a great opportunity to put in the performance that the team is capable of so we are looking forward to the challenge,’’ Gray said.

As per the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks regulations, every player must at least be involved in a full 70 minutes of rugby which means the two Zimbabwean teams have to make changes for today’s fixtures.

For the Craven Week, eight changes have been made with all the players who did not play on Tuesday in the starting lineup for today, with the same done to the Academy Week team.

 On Tuesday, Zimbabwe conceded 11 tries, seven conversions and a penalty goal. The Jack Charsley captained Junior Sables managed to breach the Leopards defence three times. Zimbabwe were brilliant at lineout time but their defence was porous, something they have to fix if they are to get a positive outcome against Eastern Province CD. 

Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 Craven Week team to play Eastern Province CD

Kudakwashe Mashonga, Marcus Nicole, Cody Rensburg , Dexter Trail, Prince Mupfurutsa,  Jack Charsley (captain), Ronald Mirimi, Simbarashe Chingono, Michael Mhute, Leroy Kagodora, Lebukgang Mokuele, Mazvitaishe Nyamarebvu (vice-captain), Tadiwa Muchemwa, Lameck Vheriwa, Tapiwa Marimira

Replacements: Tadiwanashe Mabhudhu, Rivaldo Kwidini, Brendan Mudzikitiri, Davin King, Ryan Smith, Dillon Brain, Tinashe Hombiro, Tafadziswa Bunu

Old Mutual Zimbabwe Under-18 Academy Week team to play Border CD

Takunda Magondo, Brian Chakoma, Brendon Sibanda, Alce Melo, James Owuru, Matthew Owuru, Sean Mupanemunda (captain) Louis de Plessis, Joshua Allardice, Anesu Haki, Takudzwa Siyawamwaya, Sean Maenzanise (vice-captain), Edwin Mutseyekwa, Siampunga Sindaza, Takunda Machaya

Replacements: Adrian Zivanai, Kundai Mashingaidze, Thokozani Mrewa, Takudzwa Mutumukira, Nigel Tinarwo, Innocent Mpariwa, Taine Roelofsz 

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