The Zimbabwe Under-14 rugby team’s preparations for the Craven Week festival in South Africa suffered a blow after two key players Mwaita Makanza and Munopa Zimunya were dropped from the squad because of injuries.

Team manager, Tan Dinhidza, on Monday said the pair picked the injuries during training and will be replaced by the Hellenic duo of winger Simba Kanyangarara and Orland Venn. 

“Their loss will be a big blow to the team as they are both impact players.

“Simba Kanyangarara and Orland Venn, both from Heritage School, have been called into camp to replace the duo who got injured during the training session,” said Dinhidza. 

The team is expected to leave this Saturday for the festival which runs from July 4-8 in Cape Town.

The Zimbabwe Rugby Union have arranged a cocktail and kit presentation party on Friday to see the team off. 

“The team is very confident. They have worked hard and are looking forward to the challenges that face them in South Africa,” said Dinhidza.

Zimbabwe will face Griquas in their opening game encounter at Paarl Gymnasium School in the Western Cape but will only know of their next opposition depending on Day One Results.

Zimbabwe Under- 14 squad: Cedric Masiwa ( Eaglesvale) ,Oliver Paterson ( Hellenic), Daniel Mazorodze ( St George’s), Tanaka Ndoro ( Prince Edward), Alex Nyamunda ( Churchill), Takudzwa Zvomuya ( Prince Edward), Simba Kanyangarara (Heritage), Orland Venn (heritage), Nkosana Sikala ( St John’s), Panashe Zuze (St George’s), Tadiwanashe Hungwe( Eaglesvale), Rly Nyakura ( Gateway), Giles Munyamana( Heritage), Munotida Marimirofa ( Peterhouse), Tawonga Taonezvi (Hellenic), Munopa Zinyama ( Peterhouse), David Yosa ( St John’s), Happymore Manyoporo ( Heritage), Taonaishe Mapani ( St John’s), Brendon Marume (Lomagundi), Tadiwanashe Kavhura ( Maranatha), Alexander Whitefield ( Hellenic).