Shaun de Souza was suffering from a huge headache.

The big Prince Edward rugby coach was up against the might of Peterhouse and it did not matter that the game was scheduled for Jubilee Field, the challenge would be the same, tough.

De Souza's headache, though, was a positive one. In Tanaka Chikwariro and Tinashe Chaza he had two equally talented front-rowers for the position of hooker and his dilemma was whom to hand the starting jersey.

For four weeks Chaza had been in camp with the Zimbabwe Schools Under-17 team and travelled with them for the Grant Khomo festival in South Africa, and in his stead Chikwariro had held fort.

On the eve of Chaza's return, Chikwariro had defiantly put on his best ever performance in Tigers colours and, in the few times it happens for someone of his position, even grabbed a try at Police Grounds when Prince Edward met Kyle in the curtain-raiser for the Zimbabwe/Uganda Africa Cup Group 1A clash on July 9.

"With the way Chikwariro played against Kyle it was impossible that I would overlook him for selection against Peterhouse. But the problem was Chaza was now back with more exposure and experience from an international tournament. I simply did not know how to play my cards,'' de Souza admitted to Suburban afterwards.

"But I looked back to that game and recalled that Chikwariro had given me what a loose forward would otherwise bring besides maintaining his touch in the front row. I decided I needed his skills as an unofficial third loose forward.''

And just as PE, who call themselves the Hararians, were about to go into the change rooms for their last pre-match rites, the coach called Chikwariro and told him he would play behind the first and second rows as a flanker.

At first it was too much for the Marondera-born Chikwariro, who had shed emotional tears all morning as he was set for his final appearance in Tigers colours as he bids farewell to the school after six academic years which will see him write his A’ Level exams in November.

"It was a difficult instruction from the coach but I had to respect his decision,'' Chikwariro was to brief Suburban later.

"I had played hooker all my life or at least since Grade 4 at Godfrey Huggins Primary and I really wanted to make a lasting mark in my last school game. Left alone, I made a deal with Chaza that I would retain the number 2 jersey but still leave him to play the position as planned by the coach.''

By the final whistle, De Souza's shrewd tactics had won the day. Chikwariro had not only dominated all the loose exchanges of the blood and thunder encounter (in which his opposite number Ronald Mbirimi left the field on a stretcher) but PE had run out 26-11 conquerors of Peterhouse.

Though bloodied with a cut lip as he walked off Jubilee Field for the last time in Tigers colours, a cheeky grin was stuck on Chikwariro's face.

"I thoroughly enjoyed myself in this match and am happy that I performed just the way the coach wanted. While I will still choose to play hooker for the next team I am to play for, I am happy to have discovered my potential as a flanker,'' grinned the 18-year old lad who might be attending college in the United States next year.

His father, Moses, was in the terraces along with his two young brothers Takudzwa and Tavonga, and though he was at first confused to see him play in an unfamiliar role, he liked what he saw.

''He is a versatile sportsman. At primary school I thought he had made soccer his favourite and I expected him to continue with sport here at PE. But when I heard he had focused on rugby l left him to pursue his dreams. He has been in the PE first team for three years and l am sure one day he will play for our national team,'' said Chikwariro (Snr).

The dream is not far-fetched. Last year, the stockily built Chikwariro was in the Zimbabwe Under-17 team for the Craven Week and before that was the hooker in the sevens team that participated in the AUSC Region Five Youth Games hosted by Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in December 2014.

The team earned a silver medal after losing to Namibia U18 Sevens in the final.

"I am hoping to study law before turning to a professional career. I also would also love to play for the Sables. But I must remain a hooker because that's the position that ignited my interest in rugby after watching and admiring the Springbok Bismarck du Plessis on television.''

Prince Edward will not be any poorer for Chikwariro's loss. Tanaka's young brother Takudzwa is already preparing to fill in the void. He is also a hooker currently turning out for both the school's and national Under-14 sides with his first cap arriving at last month's Craven Week festival in South Africa.