ZIMBABWE Under-18 rugby team coach Godwin Murambiwa got his wish after the Old Mutual-sponsored Junior Sables were drawn against Griquas in their second match at the Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at Kearnsey College in Durban this morning.

After a 16-9 win over Griquas Country Districts in the opening match of the tournament on Monday, Murambiwa told journalists that he expected to play either Griquas or Namibia, who met in the second fixture of the event. He said the Namibians are usually the Junior Sables’ opponents on the last day and the boys from Griqualand were their most likely opponents.

Murambiwa felt anything other than these two teams was going to be tough opposition considering that there are big provincial sides at the annual Craven Week.

Even after their win over Griquas Country Districts, which brought an end to their seven-match losing streak, Murambiwa felt that they had not played to the best of their ability because they were not accurate in their passing. He believes Griquas, beaten 36-54 by Namibia on Monday, are certain to want a win over Zimbabwe.

“It is a tough game for us in that Namibia beat them; either way they will come and want a win against us, but we need to play and play well,” said Murambiwa.

Zimbabwe have been dealt a blow with prop Desmond Annandale ruled out after suffering a concussion on Monday, effectively ruling him out of the rest of the tournament.

Competition rules state that every boy that is part of the squad of 23 must play at least a match at the event and Murambiwa has made eight changes to the starting 15 that will run out against Griquas this morning.

Simbarashe Maringa, Marcus Nichole, Samuel Garnett, Liam Burnett, Jeremy Munyeza, Nqobisile Ncube, Rangarirai Marimira and Tapiwa Marimira have been brought into the starting line-up. Making way are Tinashe Chaza, Cleopas Kundiona, Annandale, Godfrey Magaramombe, Tendekai Chigwendere, Connor McMillan, Benjamin Meredith and Rodney Sachiti.

A whole new front row made up of Maringa and Nichole has been selected while Burnett and Daniel Hutchings will lock the scrum.

Skipper Stuart Dodington, Tichaona Hwangwa and Tonderai Chiwambutsa make up the loose trio. To throw in during the scrums and retrieve the ball in breakdown is Jeremy Munyeza, while Martin Mango has been shifted from fullback to dictate the pace of the game at number 10.

Rangarirai Mariwa will be on the left wing and Tapiwa Marimira on the right. Matthew McNab has retained his place at first centre and Peter Davis has been moved from wing to second centre, while Nqobisile Ncube is the last line of defence at fullback.

Davis was the hero for Zimbabwe with a superb last minute try that was converted by his Falcon College teammate McNab, who also booted in three penalty goals to finish the match with 11 points to his name in Zimbabwe’s 16-9 win over Griquas Country Districts on Monday.

Zimbabwe went into the break of that game trailing 3-9, but crucially did not concede a try, with the opposition getting all their points from three penalty goals converted by fly half Iwan Lombard.

Junior Sables team to play Griquas

Simbarashe Maringa, Marcus Nichole, Samuel Garnett, Liam Bennett, Daniel Hutchings, Tichaona Hwangwa, Tonderai Chiwambutsa, Stuart Dodington(captain), Jeremy Munyeza, Martin Mangongo, Rangarirai Mariwa, Matthew McNab, Peter Davis, Tapiwa Marimira, Nqobisile Ncube

Replacements: Tinashe Chaza, Cleopas Kundiona, Godfrey Magaramombe, Tendekai Chigwendere, Connor McMillan, Benjamin Meredith, Rodney Sachiti

Coach: Godwin Murambiwa

Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback

Team manager: Tungamirai Mashungu.