The Sunday News
ZIMBABWE national Under-18 rugby captain Brian Muntanga is hopeful for an improved show by the Old Mutual Junior Sables at this year’s Under-18 Coca-Cola Craven Week at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, South Africa from 13 to 18 July.
In an interview at his school Falcon College in Esigodini last Wednesday, Muntanga said all the players in his team were hungry to deliver at this year’s event.
Muntanga, who plays position of hooker, was part of the Zimbabwean juniors who lost all the three matches they played at last year’s Craven Week in Middelburg.
Last year, Zimbabwe went down 54-43 to Eastern Province Country Districts in their opening fixture, lost 26-20 to Griquas Country Districts in the second fixture and then ended the tournament with a disappointing 38-25 defeat to Namibia.
The pain of letting down the nation drives Muntanga and the rest of the boys as they gear up to face off against fellow juniors from South African provinces and Namibia.
“The team is ready, we are really in pain to have lost all the matches last year, every person that is going knows we are going there to win,’’ said Muntanga.
Zimbabwe, coached by Godwin “Jaws” Murambiwa start off their campaign against Griquas Country Districts on Tuesday 14 July with the second fixture on Thursday 16 July to be decided based on their performance in their first match. The biggest assignment for Zimbabwe at the tournament is the traditional battle against Namibia set for the last day on Saturday 18 July.
The Zimbabwean juniors have over the last few years come out second best against Namibia and they would be looking to get the better of their nemesis this time around.
“It is the game that everyone really wants, it is always a tough match. The team we have this year is good enough to go out there and put up a good fight. I am going to be biased that our strength is in our forwards, we have pace, strength and size in that department,’’ said Muntanga.
This is the fourth time Mutanga will represent the country. He went to the Under-13 Craven Week in 2010, Grant Khomo Week in 2013 and the 2014 Under-18 Craven Week last year.
The team will go into the final camp at Gateway High School in Harare on Wednesday ahead of departure for South Africa on Sunday.
Zimbabwe last recorded a clean sweep at the Under-18 Craven Week in 2007 in Stellenbosch where a side led by flank Michael Todd won all the three matches they played.
Old Mutual Junior Sables team
Ackim Sibanda, Brian Muntanga (captain), Levi Fargnoli, Stuart Dodington, Campbell Nyakudza, Benjamin Meredith, Jordan Zietsman, Sam Phiri, Cleopas Kundiona (all Falcon College) Sam Garnett, Cameron Harrison, Aiden Burnett (all St John’s College), Cuan Zeederberg, Tinotenda Vheriwa (both Peterhouse), Angus Bruce (vice-captain), Tarisai Mapfumo (vice-captain), Tinashe Muchena, Liam Kenny, Kevin Chisango (all St Georges College), Ernest Mudzengerere, Russell Dinha, Shingirai Katsvere (all Prince Edward).
Non-travelling reserves: Edwin Nxumalo, Shaun Snyder, Matthew McNab, Kieran Butler (All Falcon College) Tinotenda Msasanure (Christian Brothers College), Takudzwa Gamanya (Kyle College), Gregory Mhindu(Peterhouse).
Coach: Godwin Murambiwa. Assistant coach: Graham Kaulback. Team Manager: Tungamirai Mashungu.
