The Zimbabwe Under-18 Schools rugby side suffered their worst defeatin five years at the annual South African Craven Week Festival inDurban on Wednesday afternoon.

Exactly five years after their 81-7 defeat at the hands of Border Country Districts on July 14 2011, Zimbabwe only managed anunconverted try yesterday to suffer a 78-5 thumping at the hands of Griquas in KwaZulu Natal.

This means under the guidance of Godwin "Jaws" Murambiwa over the last six seasons, the Zimbabwe Under-18 schools side has managed five wins out of 17 games, a success rate of 29.4 percent or less than a third of games played.

Add the 2010 season, then that would translate to Zimbabwe only managing six wins in their last 20 games, giving Murambiwa a success rate of 30 percent as they have lost 14 out of the 20 outings.

The last time Zimbabwe suffered such a heavy defeat was in Kimberly when Limpopo touched down 12 times against Zimbabwe and their fly-half Kobas Marais weighed in with 20 points made up of nine conversions and a penalty from his boot.

And on Wednesday, coming at the back of their first win in three years (also their first in eight games) at the Craven Week Festival, Zimbabwe hoped they would maintain the winning form but it was not to be as Griquas were on fire to thump Murambiwa’s teenagers.

Zimbabwe let in 12 tries - winger Cameron Huffke top scoring with four touchdowns and nine conversion - Ashwill Both, De-An Ackermann and Rian Kotze each with a brace while the duo of Gladwin Nieuwenhuizen and Anton van Romburgh had a try apiece.

Zimbabwe’s only reply came through a Matthew McNab unconverted try.

Before Monday's 16-9 win against Griquas Rural, Zimbabwe had last won in 2013 before suffering six consecutive defeats in two years and have also not beaten their bitter rivals in the period under review.

Zimbabwe last got the better of Namibia at the 2010 edition of the festival with a 21-30 win in Welkom - and this was thier only win after losing 3-21 to South West Districts and 15-23 to Griquas Country Districts.

Under-18 Last 10 Games

                             P       W       D       L       F          A         Pts

Zimbabwe                10      2       0       8       201       340      14

Previous Results

2016: lost 78-5 v Griquas; won 16-9 v Griquas Rural,

2015: lost 29-7 v Namibia; lost 51-20 v EP CD; lost 17-12 v Griquas CD

2014: lost 38-25 v Namibia; lost 26-20 v Griquas CD; lost 54-43 v EP CD

2013: lost 33-10 v Namibia; won 43-5 v Limpopo Blue Bulls; won 35-17 v Griquas

2012: lost 28-7 v Namibia; lost 68-21 v Limpopo Blue Bulls; won 31-9 v Border Country

2011: lost 55-18 v Namibia; lost 81-7 v Limpopo Blue Bulls; won 68-3 v Border Country

2010: won 30-21 v Namibia, lost 21-3 v South Western Districts, lost 15-23 v Griquas Country